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Hundreds of firefighters have been battling blazes that have destroyed more than 19,000 hectares of land across Portugal, Spain, France, and Greece.
Some 10,500 people have been evacuated near Perpignan in southwestern France as a major fire has burned through 1,650 hectares.
“The fire came within 300 metres of the houses. We were taken aback by how fast it spread, it was staggering bordering on panic,” said Patrice, a resident of Trevillach.
Residents have described chaotic evacuations as flames have moved rapidly through villages overnight.
“There were fire trucks everywhere, and the smell of smoke was overwhelming,” said evacuee Charlotte Pignol.
French fire officials have warned that rising temperatures could worsen the situation, with forecasts expecting up to 40C in parts of southern Europe.
“Climate change is here, we are living the consequences and it is only the start of July,” said French fire service Colonel Eric Belgioino.
He has urged residents to take precautions to avoid starting fires as the wildfire season has started earlier than usual.
Tour de France officials have also suspended spectators for Monday’s stage in the Pyrenees due to the fire risk.
“The public is asked not to go near the route or to the finish area,” officials have said.
“In other words… it will be a stage of the Tour de France without spectators,” they added.
Elsewhere, fires have also been reported in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, and Albania as emergency services continue to battle multiple outbreaks across the region.
