
8 days · 7 summary articles
Firefighters across Europe and North America battled wildfires on Thursday as blazes scorched forests, displaced thousands, and prompted evacuations in multiple regions.
In Germany, a wildfire near Bad Schwalbach in the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis remained active, with about 25,000 square meters of forest engulfed in flames, according to a fire department spokesperson . Authorities said the situation was stable, but the fire had not been extinguished. Two firefighters suffered minor circulatory issues and received medical treatment. Wind and embers sparked additional fires, though crews reported controlling the new hotspots by late Wednesday. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation .
In Austria, a pine forest fire in St. Egyden am Steinfeld was brought under control by Wednesday evening, but Mario Lukas, the district fire chief of Neunkirchen, stated that the blaze was far from extinguished, with multiple flare-ups still occurring .
France’s Var region faced a renewed wildfire threat in the Gros Bessillon massif, with firefighters bracing for a high-risk day amid forecasts of strong mistral winds and temperatures nearing 40°C. Several forest areas in the Alpes-Maritimes, Bouches-du-Rhône, Pyrénées-Orientales, Var, and Vaucluse were closed due to fire risk . In the Drôme department, a wildfire that began Monday was reported as stable but not yet contained, with about 240 hectares burned .
In Greece, wildfires forced thousands to flee, including locals, tourists, and pets, with calls emerging for a dedicated European Union animal rescue service and funding to address wildfire risks . A new fire near the village of Karydi in Lasithi prompted emergency alerts . Greek authorities also reported seven arrests in Attica, Preveza, and Trikala for activities linked to fire risks, including open burning and barbecuing .
In the Netherlands, firefighters continued monitoring a natural fire near Venray, while Prime Minister Rob Jetten visited the site to thank crews as train traffic resumed .
In the U.S., firefighters in Washington state gained ground against wildfires around Spokane, though tens of thousands remained evacuated . Cooler weather aided containment efforts .
In Spain, rescued donkeys were deployed to graze on brush, reducing fuel for wildfires . In France’s Durance plain, goats were similarly used for preventive grazing to lower fire risks .
In Sweden, authorities discovered human remains following a severe fire . In Finland, a hazard warning was issued for Janakkala due to heavy smoke from a large waste fire at a recycling station .
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