Three firefighters killed as wildfires scorch southern Europe amid extreme heat and drought

30 articles·16 sources·updated about 2 hours ago·View in graph

climate & environment spain greece france

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Southern Europe is on high alert as wildfires rage across the region, with three firefighters dying in Greece and crews across southern Europe confronting a punishing mix of heat, drought, and strong winds.

In Greece, three firefighters lost their lives while battling wildfires on the island of Crete and in the Peloponnese. Two firefighters became trapped in the Crete blaze near the village of Krya Vrysi, while another died near the southern Peloponnese port town of Gytheio. The fires on Crete were driven by gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of several villages.

In France, a massive wildfire in the southwest, described as four times the size of Paris, has been contained but remains a threat. Authorities have warned that the next 12 hours will be decisive in controlling the fire near Madrid. The fire in the Gironde region has forced the evacuation of thousands of people, with over 2,200 firefighters and 20 aircraft deployed to battle the blaze.

Spain is also grappling with wildfires, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warning that the next 12 hours will be crucial in putting out a wildfire near the capital Madrid. The fire in Ávila province has burned over 43,000 hectares, making it the largest recorded wildfire in Spanish history. This year, more than 207,000 hectares of land have been burned by wildfires in Spain.

The extreme heat and drought conditions are exacerbating the wildfires, with temperatures expected to reach 45 degrees Celsius in Spain and around 38 degrees Celsius in southwestern France. The wildfires have led to large-scale evacuations, with around 300,000 people affected in France and Spain alone.

Residents and tourists have been evacuated from affected areas, and authorities are urging caution as the heatwave intensifies. The wildfires have also impacted tourism, with several popular destinations in Greece and Spain being affected.

The response from authorities includes the deployment of firefighters, aircraft, and volunteers. In France, over 2,200 firefighters and 20 aircraft are battling the blaze in the Gironde region. In Spain, efforts are focused on stabilizing the perimeter of the fire in Ávila province.

The situation remains critical as crews across southern Europe continue to battle the wildfires amid extreme heat and drought conditions.

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Articles

3 Firefighters Die as Southern Europe Burns; France Fights Huge Blaze

gdeltproject.org · about 3 hours ago

Live: Fontainebleau fire contained, but southern Europe on high alert as wildfires rage An uncontained wildfire four times the size of Paris threatened to surge again in southwest France on Wednesday, as three firefighters died in Greece and crews across southern Europe confronted a punishing mix of heat, drought and strong winds. In the forest of Fontainebleau, south of Paris, firefighters were able to contain Wednesdays flare-up. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.

france24 · about 3 hours ago

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mastodon bot · about 3 hours ago

DIRECT - Incendies en Europe: Lincendie en Gironde "toujours stabilisé" jeudi matin Les dernières informations concernant les incendies dévastateurs qui touchent la France et lEspagne. ...

la libre · about 3 hours ago

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welt.de · about 3 hours ago

France Is Using 12 Aging Planes to Fight Its Wildfires The water bombers, grounded often for maintenance, are prompting a debate over the countrys readiness ahead of the blazes.

wsj · about 3 hours ago

Three Greek firefighters die as wildfires threaten parts of southern Europe Gale-force winds on Crete have whipped up flames prompting the evacuation of several villages, as parts of the continent continue to tackle fires.

bbc · about 3 hours ago

Fourth heatwave threatens France, Spain as wildfire smoke risks intensify

gdeltproject.org · about 3 hours ago

France battles wildfire 4 times the size of Paris as soaring heat threatens new surge

gdeltproject.org · about 3 hours ago

2 Firefighters Die In A Wildfire On The Southern Greek Island Of Crete

gdeltproject.org · about 3 hours ago

Two arrested on suspicion of arson as firefighters battle blazes near Bordeaux reut.rs/44WhuEs

bluesky_Reuters · about 3 hours ago

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hotnews.ro · about 3 hours ago

Three Greek firefighters killed as wildfires strike further east in Europe, arson arrests in Bordeaux fire Three Greek firefighters died battling blazes during high winds on the island of Crete and the mainland as wildfires spread across Europe on Wednesday after days of devastating fires in Spain and France. Two firefighters became trapped in the Crete blaze near the village of Krya Vrysi while they were driving between fire fronts. Another […]

cyprus mail · about 3 hours ago

More European tourism destinations are hit by wildfires as villages are evacuated on top Greek holiday island and France battles flare ups in 40C heat Footage shared on social media shows bright orange flames rising above the mountains as dark clouds of smoke engulf the island.

dailymail · about 3 hours ago

Greece engulfed by fires as European blazes rage

gdeltproject.org · about 3 hours ago

Spain eases evacuations as France battles fresh wildfires amid new heatwave Thousands of evacuees were allowed home in Spain after firefighters gained ground against some of the countrys worst blazes in decades, but soaring temperatures and new outbreaks in France underscored the broader wildfire emergency unfolding across southern Europe.

france24 · about 3 hours ago

Europes wildfires, in maps, charts and photosWildfires are burning through the two countries at a record pace. #News #France #Spain #Europe

mastodon bot · about 4 hours ago

As Wildfires Plague Europe, Scotland Races to Save a Cherished National Park As Europes climate warms, even moorlands and forests in the Cairngorms, in the Scottish Highlands, have fallen victim to rapidly spreading flames.

new york times · about 4 hours ago

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bluesky_Euractiv · about 4 hours ago

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gdeltproject.org · about 4 hours ago

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gdeltproject.org · about 4 hours ago

Southern Europe burns as 3 firefighters die and France battles blaze 4 times the size of Paris

gdeltproject.org · about 4 hours ago

Dramatic sea rescue as firefighters die on the Greek island of Crete The Greek Coast Guard is rescuing people trapped by rapidly spreading wildfires on the island of Crete.

aljazeera · about 4 hours ago

Südeuropa: Hitzewelle und Wind entzünden neue Waldbrände am Mittelmeer In Frankreich, Spanien, Griechenland und der Türkei sind weitere Feuer ausgebrochen, darunter in einem Nationalpark vor Portugal. Teilweise entspannt sich aber die Lage.

die zeit · about 5 hours ago

Europe turns to goats to prevent wildfires

gdeltproject.org · about 5 hours ago

Wildfires could engulf all of Europe within days warns EU emergency chief #Europe

mastodon bot · about 5 hours ago

Blazes burning with the intensity of atomic bombs: Europe enters a new era of mega fires

news.yahoo.com · about 6 hours ago

Two firefighters killed as wildfires sweep Crete Two firefighters died on Wednesday after becoming trapped while battling a wildfire near Rethymno, Crete, as fires and extreme heat continued to affect parts of southern Europe. Greek authorities ordered the evacuation of several villages as gale force winds drove the blaze across the island. Witnesses said multiple fires broke out before merging into a […]

cyprus mail · about 6 hours ago

France tries to contain huge Gironde blaze as 3 firefighters die in Greece battling wildfires

gdeltproject.org · about 7 hours ago

Heat wave threatens to intensify Frances mega-fire near Bordeaux

gdeltproject.org · about 7 hours ago