# Southern Europe and North Africa wildfire and heatwave > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/southern-europe-wildfire-crisis > Updated: 2026-09-15T18:31:03.000Z. Sources: 275. Developments: 16. The 2026 summer wildfire and heatwave season has resulted in catastrophic land loss across Southern Europe and North Africa. New data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) indicates that more than 12 million hectares were burned across the Mediterranean regions, including the Iberian Peninsula, southern France, Italy, Greece, the Balkans, Ukraine, and Algeria. Within the European Union, approximately 5.4 million hectares were destroyed by over 1,000 fires between mid-June and early September. Significant individual blazes included a fire in the Spanish province of Avila that consumed over 420,000 hectares and a major fire near Bordeaux, France, which destroyed 370,000 hectares. Scientists warn of a dangerous feedback loop, noting that Europe is the fastest-warming continent, having warmed 2.5°C above pre-industrial levels. In Algeria, the devastating fires have prompted significant legislative and recovery efforts. Following late August wildfires that destroyed villages in the Kabylie region and northeastern Algeria—resulting in at least 12 deaths—President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has directed the Ministry of Justice to amend the national Penal Code. The proposed changes aim to reintroduce the death penalty for those who intentionally start or instigate wildfires, as well as for child abductors and abusers. President Tebboune stated that individuals sentenced to death would face execution once their right to appeal is exhausted. Amnesty International has called on Algerian authorities to abandon these plans and instead establish an official moratorium on executions, noting that the country has not carried out a death sentence in over 30 years. The organization warned that the expanded laws could be used to suppress political opposition, citing previous instances where wildfire-related charges were used against groups such as the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie (MAK). ## Claims - At least 12 people died and 54 were injured in the wildfires. (disputed by 10 sources) - As of 20:00 on August 27, 2026, eight fire outbreaks were reported in Albania. (disputed by 6 sources) - Wildfires on the Greek island of Crete forced the evacuation of about 8,000 people and killed at least two firefighters. (disputed by 5 sources) - Albania reported 22 fire outbreaks in the last 24 hours, with 3 remaining active. (disputed by 5 sources) - Three firefighters died while fighting the fires in Greece. (disputed by 2 sources) - President Abdelmadjid Tebboune directed the Minister of Justice to draft an amendment to the penal code to include the death penalty for intentional arson. (corroborated by 29 sources) - The 12 deaths occurred across the provinces of Jijel (5), Bejaia (4), and Tizi Ouzou (3). (corroborated by 28 sources) - In Béjaïa, 54 people were injured, with six in serious condition. (corroborated by 20 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-15: Algeria considers reintroducing death penalty following wildfires Algeria is considering penal code amendments to reintroduce the death penalty for arson and child abuse following deadly wildfires, drawing criticism from human rights groups. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/algeria-considers-reintroducing-death-penalty-following-wildfires ### 2026-09-09: Algeria to reinstate death penalty for arson and child abduction Algeria is amending its penal code to reinstate the death penalty for arsonists and child abductors, while also launching local appeal commissions to manage wildfire damage compensation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/algeria-to-reinstate-death-penalty-for-arson-and-child-abduction ### 2026-09-08: Algeria shows national unity following deadly forest fires Algeria has seen a massive surge in national solidarity and humanitarian mobilization following deadly forest fires in regions like Jijel, involving citizens, NGOs, and the military. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/algeria-shows-national-unity-following-deadly-forest-fires ### 2026-09-05: Algeria to reintroduce death penalty for arson and child kidnapping Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has ordered the reintroduction of the death penalty for arsonists causing death and kidnappers of minors, ending a de facto moratorium in place since 1993. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/algeria-to-potentially-reinstate-executions-for-arsonists ### 2026-09-02: Algeria wildfires spark debate over official death toll Wildfires in northeastern Algeria have prompted national mourning and sparked debate over the official death toll following reports of mass burials and a lack of recent government updates. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/algeria-wildfires-spark-debate-over-official-death-toll ### 2026-09-02: Algeria president seeks death penalty for arsonists after deadly wildfires Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is seeking to reinstate the death penalty for arsonists following deadly wildfires that have caused widespread destruction and potentially hundreds of deaths. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/algeria-president-seeks-death-penalty-for-arsonists-after-deadly-wildfires ### 2026-08-30: Algeria to reintroduce death penalty for arsonists after deadly wildfires Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has ordered the reintroduction of the death penalty for intentional arson following deadly forest fires that killed at least 12 people in the country's northern provinces 57 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/algeria-to-reinstate-death-penalty-for-arsonists-following-wildfires ### 2026-08-28: Algeria declares national mourning after deadly wildfires kill 12 Algeria has declared three days of national mourning after wildfires killed 12 people and injured 54. Emergency services continue to battle remaining fires in Jijel, Setif, and Tebessa. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jijel-wildfires-prime-minister-attends-funerals-for-victims ### 2026-08-25: Algeria wildfires kill at least 12 people in northeastern provinces Wildfires in northeastern Algeria have killed at least 12 people and injured 54 others. President Tebboune has declared three days of national mourning as emergency crews battle dozens of active fires. 88 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wildfires-impact-france-and-algeria-amid-heatwaves ### 2026-08-06: Europe faces growing wildfire risk and insurance protection gap European insurers warn of a widening protection gap as intensifying wildfires and heatwaves in France, Spain, and Greece drive up disaster costs, with payouts rising sixfold since the 2000s. 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/france-and-spain-wildfires-blaze-across-millions-of-hectares-in-july-2026 ### 2026-08-06: Italy wildfires scorch 70,000 hectares, displace 300,000 people Italian wildfires have burned 70,000 ha (133 % above average), displaced 300,000+ people, and affected protected areas; Europe totals 435,000 ha burned, with Spain and France also hit. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mediterranean-wildfires-raze-tens-of-thousands-of-hectares-in-italy-spain-and-france ### 2026-08-04: Spain and France wildfires amplified by climate change WWA analysis links carbon emissions to a 20‑fold rise in Spain’s wildfire risk and a doubled risk in France, with recent fires burning over 190,000 ha, displacing 300,000+ people and releasing 18 Mt CO₂. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-and-france-wildfires-amplified-by-climate-change ### 2026-08-02: Spain and France grapple with record wildfires fueled by climate change Record wildfires in Spain and France, intensified by climate change and rural depopulation, have killed people, destroyed homes, forced 300,000 evacuations, and caused extreme smoke pollution. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-and-france-grapple-with-record-wildfires-fueled-by-climate-change ### 2026-08-01: ECB warns climate crisis threatens financial stability amid European wildfires ECB board member Frank Elderson warns that climate change and ecosystem loss threaten financial stability; the bank is expanding monitoring, launching a risk‑assessment programme and will publish analysis later 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-wildfires-and-climate-crisis-jeopardize-financial-stability ### 2026-07-29: 2026 wildfires ravage Spain and France as climate-driven heatwave intensifies Record 2026 wildfires in Spain and France, driven by climate‑amplified heat, burned over 175,000 ha, forced 300,000+ evacuations, and prompted EU funding and travel warnings. 98 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/southern-europe-wildfire-risk-doubles-study-finds ### 2026-07-28: Wildfires Near Bordeaux Spur Alarm on Escalating Climate Crisis Wildfires near Bordeaux and west of Madrid have burned over 110,000 ha, displaced 300,000+ people, and been labeled unprecedented by President Macron amid escalating climate‑change risks. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wildfires-near-bordeaux-spur-alarm-on-escalating-climate-crisis --- Cite as: Southern Europe and North Africa wildfire and heatwave. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/southern-europe-wildfire-crisis