Heatwave Fuels Wildfires and Energy Strains Across Southern Europe

TIRANA/BUDAPEST- Emergency crews battled wildfires in Albania on Wednesday while Hungary took steps to curb electricity demand as an intense heatwave and prolonged drought tightened their grip on large parts of southern and eastern Europe, disrupting daily life, straining energy systems and worsening fire risks across the region.

Europe, regarded as the world’s fastest-warming continent, has endured a summer marked by record-breaking temperatures and destructive wildfires. France and Spain have been among the countries most severely affected, while the center of the current heatwave has shifted toward southeastern Europe and Italy, where authorities expanded emergency measures as temperatures climbed.

Italy placed most of its major cities under red heat alerts on Wednesday as temperatures approached 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in several areas. Authorities warned residents and visitors to limit outdoor activity during the hottest hours of the day as extreme heat persisted.

The high temperatures also prompted changes to public events in Rome. The Vatican moved Pope Leo’s first weekly general audience following the July break indoors instead of holding it in St. Peter’s Square, citing the intense heat. Tourists welcomed the decision as they sought shelter from the sweltering conditions.

“I suppose it’s better to hold it indoors because of the heat,” Mexican visitor Diego Amaya said.

In Hungary, authorities appealed to households and businesses to reduce electricity consumption to ease pressure on the national power grid during the ongoing heatwave. Budapest was expected to experience the peak of the hot spell on Wednesday and Thursday, with temperatures forecast to reach between 40 C and 42 C (104 F to 108 F).

The country’s energy system has come under additional strain after record-low water levels on the Danube River forced Hungary to largely shut down its only nuclear power plant, which relies on river water for cooling. The reduced generating capacity has intensified pressure on electricity supplies as demand for cooling continues to rise during the extreme weather.

In Albania, firefighters continued efforts to contain a major wildfire in the southern region of Mallakaster, where advancing flames forced the evacuation of about 15 families together with their livestock and pets. Ground crews supported by aerial firefighting aircraft worked to stop the blaze from reaching homes near a nearby village.

Emergency services were also battling another wildfire south of the city of Gjirokaster in rugged mountainous terrain. Authorities said the blaze was likely triggered by lightning, with difficult access complicating firefighting operations.

Neighboring Greece remained on alert after a wildfire northwest of Athens burned thousands of hectares of farmland near a popular holiday destination. Officials said the fire may have been caused by vibrating electricity conductors before being intensified by gale-force winds.

Although the Greek wildfire appeared largely contained by Wednesday, hundreds of firefighters remained deployed across the affected area to prevent new flare-ups. Six helicopters continued water-dropping operations over scattered hotspots and smoldering vegetation.

The prolonged period of hot and dry weather is also inflicting growing damage on agriculture across Europe. In Britain, an analysis published on Wednesday projected that the country’s cereal harvest would be the poorest since comparable records began in 1984, with crops suffering from one of the driest and hottest spring-to-summer periods on record.

Scientists have consistently identified Europe as the fastest-warming continent, with rising temperatures increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, droughts and wildfires. The latest spell of extreme weather has once again highlighted the mounting challenges facing governments as they respond simultaneously to public health risks, energy disruptions and environmental damage.