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Southern Europe and Türkiye are grappling with dozens of wildfires, many fuelled by strong winds and extreme heat that scientists link to climate change. Thousands of residents and tourists have been evacuated from threatened areas in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Balkans, and Türkiye.
In several countries, firefighting aircraft and thousands of personnel have been deployed, with some blazes advancing kilometres within minutes.
In Greece, more than 20 wildfires have been reported, including one dangerously close to the city of Patras. A blaze near the ancient Mycenaean site of Voudeni forced evacuations in around 20 villages in the Achaia region.
Authorities reported 52 people hospitalized for respiratory issues and minor burns. Fires also flared on the islands of Zante and Chios, where nearly 80 people were rescued by the coastguard.
Spain recorded multiple fatalities, including two men in the Castile and Leon region and a man in Tres Cantos, north of Madrid. Fires have scorched more than 98,000 hectares in Spain so far this year. In Portugal, over 1,800 firefighters and around 20 aircraft battled major blazes, particularly in Trancoso.
Authorities reported that 24% of rural fires this year were caused by human activity, often due to unsafe burning practices.
The national fire service said it had 12 teams on the ground and six Canadair planes fighting the blaze, which has torn through the national park in southern Italy since Aug. 8.
In Albania, more than 10,000 personnel have been mobilised against fast-spreading fires, with emergency services urging residents in Gramsh and Delvine to evacuate immediately.
Officials confirmed the death of an elderly man whose garden fire spread uncontrollably to surrounding villages.
In Türkiye, wildfires were reported in Antalya, Canakkale, Edirne, Manisa, Hatay, Bolu, and Izmir. Most have been brought under control, but not without loss.
In Osmaniye, a forestry worker died after a water truck overturned en route to a fire, injuring four others.
In Canakkale’s Dardanos area, flames reached residential zones and holiday homes, prompting land and sea evacuations of more than 2,200 people.
The historic Turgut Reis Fort was narrowly saved from the blaze. Temporary closures were enforced at the Canakkale Strait and the city’s airport during the firefighting efforts.
In Izmir’s Buca district, a roadside vehicle fire spread into nearby woodland, leading to three arrests. Large swathes of land were burned before the fire was contained.
Another blaze in Aliaga threatened industrial zones but was brought under control before reaching factories.
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