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Dangerous summers: How heatwaves and wildfires are changing life in Europe

2026-08-06 18:37:29Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Dangerous summers: How heatwaves and wildfires are changing life in Europe
Fires have broken out in central Spanish towns such as El Tiemblo in the province of Avila

Everton Fox – Al Jazeera

Summers in Europe are changing rapidly. Temperatures that were once considered extreme, like the nearly 40 degrees Celsius being recorded in Prague, are becoming increasingly common.

According to the European Copernicus Climate Change Service, heat waves in late May and throughout June brought average daily temperatures more than 10 degrees Celsius above normal in parts of France, the United Kingdom and Spain. The average temperature in Western Europe during June reached 20.74°C, or 3.06°C above the 1991-2020 average.

With temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in some places, prolonged droughts, devastating fires and falling river levels are no longer considered rare phenomena, but are becoming a common part of European summers.

Scientists have long warned that climate change will increase both the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Today, heat waves last longer, start earlier, and affect more places at once.

The consequences are not limited to high temperatures. They are affecting ecosystems, economies, and daily life across the continent.

Forest fires: Largest and most destructive

Extreme temperatures dry out vegetation, turning forests, shrubs, and grasslands into ideal “fuel” for fires. When drought is accompanied by strong winds, fires spread much faster and become increasingly difficult to control.

Mediterranean countries such as Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy and France have traditionally been exposed to forest fires. However, the fire season is now starting earlier, lasting longer and affecting regions previously considered low risk.

The European Union recorded the burning of at least 1 million hectares of land last year, almost double the historical average.

Some fires are so intense that they create their own atmospheric systems. Known as pyrocumulonimbus clouds, they generate strong winds, lightning, and embers that can ignite new fires several kilometers away, making them even more difficult to extinguish.

In addition to destroying forests and homes, fires damage biodiversity, release large amounts of carbon dioxide, and make land more vulnerable to erosion and flooding when rainfall returns.

Heatwaves also put a huge strain on Europe's water resources. High temperatures increase evaporation from rivers, lakes and reservoirs, while reducing soil moisture.

Water under pressure

Earlier snowmelt in the mountains leaves less water available during the hottest months of the year.

Important rivers such as the Rhine, Po and Danube have recorded exceptionally low levels in recent summers. This affects river transport, hydropower production and the operation of industries that use water for cooling.

Agriculture is one of the hardest-hit sectors. Farmers in Southern and Central Europe are facing lower yields, heat stress in livestock, and increased demand for irrigation, while water resources are dwindling.

A study published in May by the European Investment Bank and the European Commission warns that climate change could increase annual losses in European agriculture by up to 66% by 2050, putting food production at risk.

In some regions, restrictions on water use have already been imposed during long periods of drought, an indication that climate change is directly affecting daily life.

Dangerous summers: How heatwaves and wildfires are changing life in Europe
People spend time on a newly discovered island due to low water levels on the Danube River in Kisoroszi, Hungary, on August 1, 2026.

Health risks and pressure on energy systems intensify

Heatwaves are one of the deadliest natural hazards in Europe. Unlike floods or storms, their effects are less visible but far more widespread.

The elderly, children, and people with underlying health conditions are most at risk. During heat waves, hospitals report increased cases of dehydration, heat stroke, and cardiovascular disease.

Cities are particularly affected due to the effect known as the "urban heat island", where concrete and asphalt accumulate and retain temperature even at night.

The increasing use of air conditioners helps citizens, but at the same time significantly increases the demand for electricity. At the same time, high river temperatures make it more difficult to cool thermal and nuclear power plants, limiting energy production precisely when demand is at its peak.

Economic costs increase

The economic consequences of the climate crisis are becoming increasingly severe.

According to the European Environment Agency, extreme weather has cost Europe an estimated €738 billion from 1980 to 2023. In the last three years alone, losses amounted to at least €162 billion.

The agency predicts that, in the absence of strong measures against climate change, the European economy could face losses of over 5.6 trillion euros by 2050.

Fires destroy homes, businesses and tourism infrastructure, while droughts reduce agricultural production and low river levels hamper trade and industry.

Workers in construction and agriculture are facing reduced productivity, while insurance companies are recording record losses. According to the European Central Bank, about 75% of natural disaster claims in Europe are uninsured.

Meanwhile, governments must bear ever-increasing costs for managing emergencies and rebuilding affected areas.

Climate projections show that Europe will continue to warm faster than the global average.

Southern Europe is set to experience even hotter and drier summers, with an increased risk of droughts and wildfires. Northern Europe, traditionally known for its mild climate, is also experiencing severe heatwaves. Recently, fires have also affected the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland, forcing local communities to evacuate.

Many cities have begun planting more trees, redesigning roads to reduce temperatures, strengthening early warning systems, and creating cooling centers for the most vulnerable groups.

Conserving water resources, better forest management, more resilient infrastructure, and cultivating drought-resistant agricultural varieties are becoming part of long-term strategies.

Dangerous summers: How heatwaves and wildfires are changing life in Europe
An area in Montfort-sur-Argens in the Var department of southern France was burned in a huge fire amid worsening drought conditions following a heatwave and water shortages across much of the country.

Adaptation is not enough

However, scientists emphasize that adaptation alone is not enough. Without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, extreme events will become increasingly frequent.

Recent summers in Europe are no longer seen as isolated weather episodes, but as a clear warning of the climate that awaits the continent in the coming decades. The challenge now is not only to cope with today's extremes, but also to prepare society for a reality where they may become the norm.

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