Summer 2025 saw wildfires flare across much of Europe, from Iberian forests to Mediterranean scrubland. Record heatwaves and drought have fueled “large-scale fires that threaten lives and devastate areas” across countries like Spain, Portugal, France, Greece, Turkey and even parts of Northern Europe. For example, western Spain battled over 20 major blazes this summer, burning a record 343,000+ hectares by mid-August. Similarly, Portugal deployed thousands of firefighters to contain hundreds of fires in its forests. This continental blaze has strained even Europe’s well-prepared fire forces: by mid-August the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism had been activated 16 times (equal to all of 2024) and around 650 firefighters from 14 countries were pre-positioned in France, Greece, Portugal and Spain for rapid response. Smaller nations have also sought help – recent EU reports note that Bulgaria, Montenegro, Albania and Greece formally requested international firefighting aid in August 2025. Red alerts spanned southern Europe (Spain, Portugal, Italy, France and the Balkans), while even Northern countries like Norway and Sweden grappled with unnaturally intense fire seasons

The human impact has been severe. Hundreds of lives and dwellings have been lost (including three volunteer firefighters in Portugal), tens of thousands evacuated, and over half a million hectares burned across the EU by mid-August (more than double the 20-year average). In Greece’s recent fires, volunteers and residents fled villages by the hundreds, and emergency hospitals treated dozens for burns and smoke inhalation. The wildlife toll is also steep: endangered Iberian lynx, regional bird populations and farm animals have suffered greatly under the flames. Experts warn these blazes “bear all the hallmarks of human-induced climate change” (independent.co.uk), making this both a humanitarian and environmental crisis.

How You Can Help: People worldwide can support European wildfire victims in many practical ways:

Donate to credible relief organizations. National Red Cross/Red Crescent societies are on the front lines. For instance, the Hellenic (Greek) Red Cross has launched an emergency fund and is taking donations to provide food, water and shelter to families hit by the Greek fires. The Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay) and Spanish Red Cross similarly coordinate relief in their countries. You can give to the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) or local affiliates in affected countries. In August 2025 alone, IFRC teams “from Türkiye and Greece to France and Norway” mobilized to support wildfire responders, delivering first aid, drinking water, food and essential supplies to evacuees. Even large companies are donating – for example the Baker Hughes Foundation granted $60,000 to European Red Cross societies for wildfire relief in 2022, so individual gifts at any level add up.
Support animal and environmental charities. Beyond human victims, the fires have endangered livestock, pets and wild fauna. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is funding on-the-ground animal rescue in Greece. WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and local wildlife trusts often set up emergency animal shelters after fires. Environmental groups also need help restoring forests. For example, Italy’s Legambiente launched a “Save the Queen” campaign to replace beehives destroyed by Sardinian fires – just €10 buys ~2,000 replacement bees for struggling beekeepers. Donating to such organizations aids both people and ecosystems.
Help local fire and emergency services. Many European countries rely on volunteer firefighters for a majority of their wildfire response. In nations like Portugal, Poland, Croatia, Slovakia and others, over 90% of firefighters are volunteers. If you live in an affected country, consider joining or supporting local fire brigades (with equipment donations or fundraising). Even if you’re abroad, you can fundraise for local fire departments (some accept donations) or donate to European Union rescue funds via portals like EU Aid Volunteers.
Volunteer for relief efforts. Experienced disaster-relief volunteers can sometimes help on-site through NGOs. For example, international humanitarian groups like Tzu Chi sent volunteer teams from the UK, Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland to assist wildfire victims in Portugal. Volunteer platforms (like those listed by EU Civil Protection) may coordinate skilled helpers. Locally, many fire services and shelters need volunteers for logistics, evacuation or recovery work. Even tasks like distributing food, tarps or clean-up help keep communities afloat. One volunteer guide notes that “donations to local relief funds, charities, and firefighting services are one of the most direct ways to support ongoing efforts".
Raise awareness and funds. Spread verified information on social media or in your community about how to donate or volunteer. Host fundraisers, charity runs or crowdfunding campaigns for specific relief groups (Red Cross, WWF, local charities). Every share can bring more support and pressure governments to act. Engage your workplace or school: many companies have matching gift programs for disaster relief. By publicizing urgent needs – for example, flood money or fire shelters – you help funnel more resources quickly.
Advocate for climate action. The scale of these wildfires highlights underlying climate risks. Supporting organizations that fight the climate crisis can help prevent future disasters. For instance, backing climate advocacy groups (like the Climate Emergency Fund mentioned in press) funds activists pushing for stronger emissions cuts. Global protests and petitions (e.g. for renewable energy or forest protection) are another way to help tackle root causes. In short, helping wildfire victims can go hand-in-hand with voting or lobbying for peace and sustainability worldwide.

Key Organizations Accepting Donations: To make a donation, consider these active groups:

Red Cross / Red Crescent societies in Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey (e.g. Cruz Roja Española or Türk Kızılay). The IFRC site or local national society pages have donation links.
International Committee of the Red Cross (for disaster aid).
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) (supporting fire-affected wildlife and reforestation).
IFAW – International Fund for Animal Welfare (rescuing animals in fire zones).
Tzu Chi Charity Foundation (global relief org; volunteers aided Portuguese communities).
Legambiente (Italy – “Save the Queen” bee/crop recovery).
Volunteer platforms and relief funds (EU Civil Protection Mechanism channels assistance).

Getting Involved

If you’re local to a fire-affected area, register with community emergency programs or shelters. Provide supplies (water, canned food, diapers) to local collection points. Many cities open cooling or smoke-relief centers – volunteers at such centers (like the Red Cross “cooling hub” in Málaga) are often needed. Younger supporters can organize “supply drives” at schools or clubs. Community members with vehicles and chainsaws have been crucial for clearing roads. Every bit of grassroots support – offering rides to evacuations, sharing emergency broadcasts, or donating hotel stays – helps ease the crisis burden.

Stay Informed and Make Your Voice Heard: We encourage everyone to stay engaged. Register at Pledge4Peace.org for updates on global crises and positive solutions. You can also vote on peace campaigns to address underlying conflicts and climate issues. For example, Pledge4Peace hosts campaigns on conflicts from Ukraine to the Middle East – by adding your pledge at Pledge4Peace.org/campaigns, you support leaders choosing dialogue over war. Building peace and climate resilience go hand-in-hand: your voice in these campaigns and consistent support for relief efforts can help prevent and mitigate the disasters of tomorrow.

By acting now – whether through donations, volunteering, or advocacy – you can provide immediate relief to Europe’s wildfire victims and contribute to longer-term peace and sustainability solutions. We stand in solidarity with affected communities and thank all supporters.