- In Portugal’s Vouzela region, 1,200 wildfires broke out over 15 days, which experts say burned an area of 12,000 hectares.
- In Greece, a total of 3,000 wildfires broke out over a 15-day period, with fire services attributing the fires to extreme weather conditions.
- In Spain’s Girona region, 2,200 wildfires broke out, while Greece reported 76-year-old fatalities due to the fires.
Wildfires are affecting the European continent’s regions, including Portugal, Greece and Spain. According to the report, the number of fires has increased due to climate change, with conditions becoming increasingly dry and hot.
In the Portuguese region of Vouzela, 1,200 wildfires and 15 days of fire outbreaks have taken place, which experts say may have burned an area of 12,000 hectares. The European Copernicus data show that over the past three days the area burned reached 12,000 hectares. According to the report, the fires are believed to have been caused by extreme weather conditions, which have contributed to the spread of the flames.
In Greece, wildfires in the Thessaloniki region broke out due to strong winds and hot, dry weather. According to the report, the fires spread quickly, destroying homes and forcing residents to evacuate. The report also notes that 157 people have been affected.
In Greece, a total of 210 wildfires were reported in Athens over a single day. Wildfires affected 210 hectares of land, with 29 firefighters deployed. Firefighters said the situation is under control.
In Spain, a total of 2,200 wildfires were recorded in the Girona region, according to EFE. The fire-prone area is about 40 kilometers, and, as Catalan Fire Service Eduard Martinez said, firefighters may not be able to control the blaze.
The material also says that Greece’s 76-year-old man died due to the fires: he was found dead by firefighters, with his body burned beyond recognition. The cause of death is being investigated.
Brig. Ioannis Artopoios, commenting on ERT TV, said that nearly 85% of the fires in Greece were caused by extreme conditions, especially strong winds, which made it difficult to put out the flames. The material also notes that Greece’s death toll may rise further.
In addition, the report says that wildfires in Portugal affected 19,000 hectares, while in Spain, France and Greece, wildfires affected 10,000 hectares. It also says that the French wildfires in Perpignan were linked to the wildfire spread near the Tour de France.