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| Man run over by own bulldozer while fighting Portugal wildfires | Man run over by own bulldozer while fighting Portugal wildfires |
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| A man has died after being run over by a bulldozer he was operating while fighting wildfires in Portugal, bringing the death toll in the country to three, officials have said. | A man has died after being run over by a bulldozer he was operating while fighting wildfires in Portugal, bringing the death toll in the country to three, officials have said. |
| The 65-year-old worked for a firm hired to fight fires in the northern municipality of Mirandela and was reportedly run over after falling from his vehicle while trying to avoid the flames. | The 65-year-old worked for a firm hired to fight fires in the northern municipality of Mirandela and was reportedly run over after falling from his vehicle while trying to avoid the flames. |
| Portugal has been battling wildfires since late July, with the north and centre of the country hit the hardest. | Portugal has been battling wildfires since late July, with the north and centre of the country hit the hardest. |
| In neighbouring Spain, wildfires have killed four people and burned an area larger than Long Island in New York State - though temperatures are beginning to cool after 16 days of extreme heat. | In neighbouring Spain, wildfires have killed four people and burned an area larger than Long Island in New York State - though temperatures are beginning to cool after 16 days of extreme heat. |
| Fires have also broken out in Greece, France, Turkey and the Balkans as a heatwave swept through Europe. | Fires have also broken out in Greece, France, Turkey and the Balkans as a heatwave swept through Europe. |
| Meteorologists say such extremes are becoming more frequent and intense because of human-induced climate change, which is causing weather events to become more frequent and severe. | Meteorologists say such extremes are becoming more frequent and intense because of human-induced climate change, which is causing weather events to become more frequent and severe. |
| In Portugal, around 15 people were also injured - one critically - while fighting fires on Tuesday near the central city of Sabugal, news agency AFP reported. | In Portugal, around 15 people were also injured - one critically - while fighting fires on Tuesday near the central city of Sabugal, news agency AFP reported. |
| Local media in Spain reports that 40 fires are still active despite temperatures dropping. | Local media in Spain reports that 40 fires are still active despite temperatures dropping. |
| The most intense heat, when temperatures surpassed 40C in many regions of Spain, has now passed but Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged people to "exercise extreme caution". | |
| "Critical moments remain, difficult hours remain," he added. | "Critical moments remain, difficult hours remain," he added. |
| At least 373,000 hectares have been scorched in Spain this year, according to the European Forest Fire Information System. | At least 373,000 hectares have been scorched in Spain this year, according to the European Forest Fire Information System. |
| Dozens of villages have been evacuated due to the fires. | Dozens of villages have been evacuated due to the fires. |
| "We had to run away because the fire was coming in from everywhere - everywhere - above us, below us, all around," Isidoro, 83, a resident in the Ourense province of Galicia, told AFP. | "We had to run away because the fire was coming in from everywhere - everywhere - above us, below us, all around," Isidoro, 83, a resident in the Ourense province of Galicia, told AFP. |
| Spanish officials said many fires had been sparked by lightning during dry storms, but arson is suspected in some cases. | Spanish officials said many fires had been sparked by lightning during dry storms, but arson is suspected in some cases. |
| The interior ministry says 32 people have been arrested and 188 investigations had been launched. | The interior ministry says 32 people have been arrested and 188 investigations had been launched. |
| While weather conditions are currently favourable for wildfires, they can be sparked by barbecues, cigarette stubs or discarded bottles. Causing a wildfire is a criminal offence in Spain, even if accidental. | While weather conditions are currently favourable for wildfires, they can be sparked by barbecues, cigarette stubs or discarded bottles. Causing a wildfire is a criminal offence in Spain, even if accidental. |
| Portugal's wildfires have burned about 216,000 hectares of land so far in 2025, according to EU data. | Portugal's wildfires have burned about 216,000 hectares of land so far in 2025, according to EU data. |
| Spain and Portugal have activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, under which countries can request emergency assistance. | Spain and Portugal have activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, under which countries can request emergency assistance. |
| Wildfires are a common occurrence across southern Europe in the summer, but their severity can often be exacerbated by heatwave conditions. | Wildfires are a common occurrence across southern Europe in the summer, but their severity can often be exacerbated by heatwave conditions. |