Authorities evacuate thousands as fires spread across popular vacation areas and protected forest regions.
Thousands of tourists and residents across Europe are being forced to evacuate as wildfires tear through some of the continent’s most beloved vacation destinations and pristine forests. From the Greek islands to Spain’s coastal resorts, emergency crews are battling multiple blazes that have already consumed hundreds of thousands of acres and show no signs of slowing down.
Popular tourist spots including beach resorts, historic towns, and national parks have been forced to close as flames approach critical infrastructure and threaten lives. The European Forest Fire Information System reports that this year’s fire activity is already 60% higher than the annual average, with extreme heat and drought conditions creating perfect conditions for rapid fire spread.
Airport closures, highway evacuations, and hotel relocations are disrupting millions of summer vacation plans across the region.
1. Greek islands are evacuating entire towns as fires jump from island to island.
The Greek island of Rhodes has become the epicenter of one of the largest evacuation efforts in the country’s history, with over 20,000 tourists and residents forced to flee their hotels and homes. Fires have consumed nearly a third of the island, destroying ancient olive groves and threatening the medieval Old Town that attracts millions of visitors each year.
Ferry boats and coast guard vessels are working around the clock to transport people to safety, while thick smoke has forced the closure of Rhodes International Airport multiple times. Similar evacuations are underway on the islands of Corfu and Evia, where fires are spreading faster than firefighting crews can contain them.
2. Spain’s Costa del Sol beaches are closing as fires approach major resort areas.
Wildfires along Spain’s Mediterranean coast have forced the closure of several popular beaches and beachfront hotels that normally host thousands of summer visitors. The fires have already reached the outskirts of Marbella and are threatening other major resort towns along the Costa del Sol.
Spanish authorities have set up emergency shelters in sports centers and schools to house evacuated tourists and locals. Many visitors are being relocated to hotels in other regions, while airlines are offering free flight changes for travelers whose accommodations have been affected by the fires.
3. Portugal’s historic forests are burning at the fastest rate in over a decade.
Portugal is experiencing its worst wildfire season since 2017, with flames consuming ancient cork oak forests and pine woodlands that support the country’s important forestry industry. The fires have already burned through areas equivalent to the size of Luxembourg, destroying habitats that took centuries to develop.
Tourist hiking trails in popular national parks have been closed indefinitely, and several mountain resort towns have been evacuated as a precaution. The Portuguese government has declared a state of emergency and requested additional firefighting aircraft from other European Union countries.
4. Italian tourists are being evacuated from Sardinia and Sicily as fires spread across both islands.
Sardinia’s northern coast, known for its luxury resorts and pristine beaches, has seen multiple evacuation orders as fires spread through the Mediterranean scrubland. The fires have already destroyed several high-end hotels and forced the closure of major tourist attractions including ancient archaeological sites.
In Sicily, fires near Mount Etna have disrupted air travel to Catania Airport, stranding thousands of travelers and forcing flight cancellations throughout the region. Local authorities are using social media and emergency alert systems to keep tourists informed about evacuation routes and safe zones.
5. France’s Mediterranean forests are burning despite having the most advanced firefighting equipment in Europe.
Southern France is battling multiple large fires that have consumed forests near popular tourist destinations including Nice, Cannes, and Marseille. Despite having sophisticated firefighting aircraft and highly trained crews, French authorities are struggling to contain blazes that are being fueled by unusually strong winds and bone-dry vegetation.
Several campgrounds and outdoor music festivals have been cancelled, affecting thousands of visitors who had planned summer vacations in the region. The fires have also threatened historic wine regions, potentially affecting grape harvests that support local tourism and the broader economy.
6. Croatia’s national parks are closing to protect visitors as fires threaten UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Croatia has temporarily closed several of its most popular national parks, including parts of Plitvice Lakes and Krka, as wildfires threaten these UNESCO World Heritage sites. The closures affect thousands of daily visitors who come to see the country’s famous waterfalls and pristine lakes during peak summer season.
Park officials are working with local fire departments to create firebreaks around the most sensitive areas, but the combination of extreme heat and drought has made vegetation extremely flammable. Tourists with existing park reservations are being offered full refunds or the option to reschedule their visits for later in the year.
7. Emergency services are struggling to keep up with the rapid pace of new fire outbreaks.
European firefighting resources are being stretched to their limits as new fires start faster than existing ones can be extinguished. The European Union has activated its Civil Protection Mechanism, sending firefighting aircraft and specialized crews to assist the most affected countries.
However, the sheer number of active fires means that resources must be constantly shifted from one emergency to another, sometimes leaving smaller fires to grow larger while crews focus on protecting populated areas. International cooperation has increased dramatically, with countries sharing equipment, personnel, and expertise to manage the crisis.
8. Air quality in major European cities is reaching unhealthy levels due to wildfire smoke.
Smoke from the widespread fires is traveling hundreds of miles, creating air quality problems in cities far from the actual blazes. Major metropolitan areas including Rome, Barcelona, and Athens are experiencing periods of unhealthy air quality that affect both residents and tourists with respiratory conditions.
Health officials are advising people to limit outdoor activities during peak smoke periods and to stay indoors when possible. Tourism activities like outdoor dining, sightseeing, and recreational sports are being affected as visibility decreases and air quality deteriorates.
9. Climate scientists say these extreme fire conditions are becoming the new normal for European summers.
Researchers studying European climate patterns report that the conditions creating this wildfire crisis—extended drought, record temperatures, and strong winds—are likely to become more frequent in coming years. Average summer temperatures across southern Europe have increased by 2-3 degrees Celsius over the past two decades, while rainfall during fire season has decreased significantly.
This trend suggests that tourists and the travel industry will need to adapt to the reality of more frequent fire-related disruptions during traditional vacation months. Climate adaptation experts are working with tourism boards to develop new strategies for managing visitor safety during extreme weather events.
10. The economic impact on European tourism could reach billions of euros as the fire season continues.
Preliminary estimates suggest that wildfire-related cancellations, evacuations, and closures could cost the European tourism industry several billion euros this summer alone. Hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and transportation companies are all experiencing significant losses as visitors either cancel trips or cut them short due to fire-related disruptions.
Insurance companies are processing thousands of claims from both businesses and travelers whose plans have been affected by the fires. The long-term impact could be even greater if damaged natural areas and tourist infrastructure take years to rebuild, potentially affecting visitor numbers for multiple seasons to come.