Greece, France, Spain and Turkey continue fighting large-scale forest fires
In Greece, the maximum (“red”) level of fire danger remains in effect due to numerous forest fires that have engulfed various regions of the country.
A difficult situation is also observed in southern France, where a new major fire has broken out. At the same time, Spain and Turkey continue to battle abnormal heat and fires. This is reported by the dpa agency, citing European civil defense services.
Greece: maximum danger and evacuations
In most regions of Greece, including Attica and the capital region, a “red” level of fire danger has been declared. The most tense situation remains about 60 kilometers northwest of Athens, where the fire front has stretched for several kilometers. Hundreds of people were evacuated by sea with the help of the coast guard.
Another major fire broke out west of Athens. Due to the threat of the fire spreading, authorities evacuated residents of the Haidari suburb (Haidari / Ano Dasos). According to the Greek fire service, firefighting continues in at least 73 areas of the country, including the Peloponnese and the island of Crete.
On Crete in recent days, the fire has engulfed significant territories, destroying thousands of hectares of forest and agricultural land. Earlier, firefighters died while extinguishing fires on the island and the mainland part of the country. Strong winds significantly complicate the work of ground units and aviation.
France: new fire in the Var department
In France, a new forest fire broke out in the Var department (between Marseille and Cannes). Due to the rapid spread of the fire, about 2,500 people were evacuated. In a few hours, the flames destroyed about 1,000 hectares of forest. More than 720 firefighters, as well as aviation, are involved in extinguishing it.
Earlier at the end of July, large-scale fires in southwestern France (especially in the Gironde region) led to the evacuation of tens and hundreds of thousands of people. The situation there has gradually stabilized, but the new outbreak in the south of the country again required significant forces.
Spain and Turkey
In Spain, the fight against forest fires continues amid abnormal heat. In recent weeks, the fire has engulfed significant territories in various regions of the country, including central and eastern provinces. Thousands of people were forced to leave their homes.
In Turkey, active fires are recorded in western and southern provinces (including Antalya and Mugla). Authorities are conducting evacuations and closing certain sections of roads. Extreme heat and strong winds contribute to the rapid spread of the fire.
According to experts and European services, the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters in Southern Europe is linked to the consequences of climate change: prolonged periods of drought, record temperatures and strong winds. The European Union is providing support to the affected countries through the civil protection mechanism, sending additional forces and aviation.
The situation remains dynamic. Authorities in Greece, France, Spain and Turkey urge residents and tourists to strictly observe fire safety rules and monitor official warnings.
