Monaco has voiced its support for Spain and Portugal as both countries endure one of the most destructive wildfire seasons in recent memory, driven by an unprecedented August heatwave. His Serene Highness Prince Albert II has written to King Felipe VI of Spain and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, extending heartfelt sympathies to the victims, their families, and the thousands displaced.
In a letter delivered on Monday, August 25, the Prince expressed his sorrow at the scale of the devastation in Spain, praising the courage of firefighters and emergency workers battling the flames. A similar message to the Portuguese President conveyed Monaco’s solidarity and compassion for those affected, assuring them of the Principality’s support in this time of crisis.
Spain has faced a 16-day heatwave described by meteorological experts as the most intense ever recorded, with temperatures between August 8 and 17 far surpassing historical norms. The resulting fires have destroyed more than 400,000 hectares in Spain and close to 275,000 hectares in Portugal, claiming lives, forcing evacuations, and leaving entire regions under emergency measures.
Across the European Union, over a million hectares have already been lost to fire this year, making 2025 the worst wildfire season on record with several weeks of high risk still ahead. The destruction has once again raised alarms over the growing impact of climate change on southern Europe, where hotter, longer summers are creating increasingly dangerous conditions.
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