As Greece Fights Wildfires, Firefighters are working tirelessly to combat multiple Blazes. The brutal heatwave is causing chaos throughout southern Europe.

Photo REUTERS

Greece Fights Wildfires-Recent reports indicate that at least three individuals have lost their lives in Spain, Albania, and Turkey, with additional victims, including firefighters, requiring hospitalization due to smoke inhalation and burns. Earlier this week, temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in multiple regions, with record highs recorded in France and Slovenia. In Greece, authorities have evacuated thousands of residents from the tourist islands of Chios and Zakynthos.

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In the past 24 hours alone, more than 152 new fires have broken out across Greece – and thousands of people have been evacuated. Around 4,850 firefighters are engaged in a multi-front battle to contain the flames. In the western Peloponnese, the city of Patras experienced significant devastation as flames encroached overnight, resulting in the destruction of homes, businesses, and vehicles.

In Zante, three separate fire fronts, covering an area exceeding 15 kilometers (9 miles), remain uncontained. Damage has been reported to residential structures, tourist facilities, and agricultural land.

As of Wednesday, at least 13 firefighters have received treatment for burns and other injuries, as reported by fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, who cautioned that conditions may become increasingly difficult in the forthcoming days.

“Today presents another exceptionally challenging day, as the wildfire risk across various regions of the country remains very high,” stated Vathrakogiannis.

Rescue boats have been deployed to evacuate beachgoers who are trapped by the advancing flames on Chios, and authorities have solicited assistance in the form of firefighting aircraft from other European Union member states.

In Spain, more than 4,000 individuals were evacuated overnight in the northwestern province of León. Tragically, a volunteer firefighter has lost his life in that same region.

An employee at an equestrian centre tragically lost their life following severe burns in Tres Cantos, located near Madrid. The intense winds, exceeding 70 km/h (43 mph), propelled flames towards residential areas, necessitating the evacuation of hundreds of individuals.

In response to the escalating situation, the Spanish government has elevated its national emergency response level. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has urged caution, stating, “We are at extreme risk of forest fires. Please exercise great care.”

Furthermore, heat alerts remain in effect across various regions in Europe, including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and the Balkans, with temperatures anticipated to surpass 40°C (104°F) in certain areas. Slovenia has reported its highest recorded nighttime temperatures, with readings in one port not falling below 28°C.

In Italy, the extreme heat has resulted in the unfortunate death of a child due to heatstroke on Monday, with forecasts indicating that temperatures could reach 40°C later in the week. Red heat alerts have been issued for a minimum of ten Italian cities, including Rome, Milan, and Florence.

A four-year-old Romanian boy was discovered unresponsive in a vehicle in Sardinia and was subsequently airlifted to a hospital in Rome. Unfortunately, he succumbed to irreversible brain damage, reportedly caused by heatstroke, according to medical authorities.

France’s Health Minister, Catherine Vautrin, has indicated that hospitals are preparing for the repercussions of the nation’s second heatwave within a span of just a few weeks. In Montenegro, a soldier lost their life, and another sustained serious injuries when their water tanker overturned while combating wildfires in the hills north of the capital, Podgorica.

In Portugal, firefighters are engaged in combating three significant wildfires, including a notable blaze in Trancoso, located in the central region of the country.

Turkey has managed to bring several major fires under control, particularly in the provinces of Canakkale and Izmir, following the evacuation of hundreds of individuals. Consequently, the Dardanelles Strait and Canakkale Airport were temporarily closed as a precautionary measure.

Certain areas of the United Kingdom are experiencing their fourth heatwave of the year, with temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius. Both amber and yellow heat health alerts have been issued for all of England.

On Tuesday, two grassfires occurred in the capital, one in Ealing and another in Wanstead Flats, causing damage over a combined area exceeding 17 acres.

Scientists have issued warnings indicating that global warming is contributing to hotter and drier summers in the Mediterranean region, thereby exacerbating the length and intensity of fire seasons.