Wildfires that have devastated parts of Spain and France in recent days are beginning to come under control, offering some relief after days of intense firefighting.

However, authorities have warned that the danger is far from over as temperatures are expected to climb above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, increasing the risk of fresh outbreaks.

Officials in both countries said some of the worst-hit fires have now been stabilised, allowing thousands of evacuated residents to return home. At the same time, the European Union has warned that the wildfire threat is now shifting east, with Greece and Italy expected to face a higher risk in the coming days.

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According to a CNN report, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the situation was evolving “favorably”, with emergency teams now focusing on containing the remaining hotspots and preventing fires from flaring up again.

Spain and France begin to regain control

Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said the major wildfire in western Madrid had been “technically stabilised”, although local authorities stressed that residents should continue to remain cautious.

In France, officials also said the large wildfire in the Gironde region had been stabilised. However, the situation remains fragile in Le Porge, one of the communities worst affected by the fires.

The town’s mayor said flare-ups were reported overnight and warned that the area was “still not secure”.

The improving conditions have allowed around 24,000 of the nearly 63,000 people evacuated in Spain to return to their homes. Authorities also lifted evacuation orders in Ávila province near Madrid.

EU warns wildfire risk moving east

Even as Spain and France make progress, the European Union’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre has warned that the wildfire threat is spreading across the continent.

Maria Zuber, who heads the centre, said the next areas at risk are Greece and parts of Central Europe.

“The next risk, it’s already moving to Greece and also Central Europe,” she told reporters, according to Reuters.

She warned that Italy is also expected to face a heightened wildfire risk at the beginning of August. If dangerous conditions continue in the Iberian Peninsula as well, Europe could face simultaneous wildfire emergencies across multiple regions.

To prepare for the changing situation, the EU has positioned firefighting aircraft, helicopters and ground teams not only in Spain and France but also in eastern and central Europe.

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European countries are also stepping up support for the firefighting effort.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever announced that Belgium would send both personnel and equipment to help France battle the fires. In a post on X, he praised Belgian firefighters and military teams while expressing solidarity with those affected.

French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said five million protective face masks had been distributed to pharmacies around the Gironde region. The masks will be provided free of charge, with priority given to vulnerable people affected by smoke pollution.

Although emergency services have made significant progress in containing the fires, officials continue to warn that soaring temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds could quickly reverse those gains.