Greece baked: Thousands blaze as Europe sizzles
Wildfires scorch southern Europe amid record heat
Greece has deployed 4,850 firefighters and 33 aircraft to battle more than 20 blazes, including a dangerous fire near Patras, its third‑largest city.
- Voudeni, a Mycenaean archaeological site just 7 km from Patras, is threatened by forest and homes.
- Strong winds hamper water bombers and complicate sea‑water collection.
- Around 20 villages in western Achaia were evacuated Tuesday.
- Firefighters in Zante and Chios faced additional fronts; Chios had previously burned 4,000 ha in June.
- Nearly 80 people were evacuated from Chios and near Patras by the coastguard.
- 52 hospitalisations, including a few firefighters, were reported; most cases were respiratory problems or minor burns.
- Temperatures are forecast to approach 40 °C in parts of western Greece on Wednesday.
Greece requested four EU water bombers, but the left‑wing opposition Syriza criticised the government’s annual preparedness, urging a “bold redistribution of resources for civil protection,” better prevention, coordination and new technologies.
Spain’s wildfire crisis
Spain continues to dominate the fire news, with two fatalities and 199 wildfires covering almost 98,784 hectares.
- Nearly 6,000 people from 26 localities were evacuated in Castile and León, where intense temperatures threatened a Roman mining heritage site.
- Portugal deployed 1,800 firefighters and 20 aircraft to fight five major blazes.
- Italian firefighters extinguished a five‑day blaze on Mount Vesuvius, releasing smoke over Naples.
British heatwave hampers health services
Heat in the UK is expected to peak at 34 °C, the country’s fourth summer heatwave. The UK Health Security Agency warned of “significant impacts” on health and social care, especially in central and southeastern England.
