Firefighters Battle Wildfires Across Southern Europe
Firefighters in Portugal, Greece, and Spain faced significant challenges on Sunday as they battled intense wildfires. In Portugal, the fire in the Vouzela area burned for more than three days, affecting 12,000 hectares (30,000 acres). Spain and Italy sent reinforcements, with over 1,200 firefighters and 15 aircraft engaged in extinguishing the blaze. By Sunday, the situation seemed to improve slightly, with Portuguese media citing fewer active fronts but noting persistent hotspots.
Spain also struggled with a wildfire in the northeastern Girona region. Since Friday, it consumed nearly 2,200 hectares (5,400 acres), with a perimeter extending 40 kilometers (25 miles), according to EFE news agency. Catalan Fire Service head Eduard Martinez stated that complete control likely wouldn’t occur on Sunday.
In Greece, residents near Thessaloniki were urged indoors as toxic smoke spread from a blaze at a recycling plant. This caused evacuation alerts for nearby suburbs and a facility housing individuals with disabilities. Around 160 firefighters battled the flames fueled by strong winds, working throughout the night until aerial resources became available at dawn.
The fire department in Greece reported many wildfires result from negligence. Spokesman Brigadier Ioannis Artopoios mentioned sparks, discarded cigarettes, and outdoor barbecues as common causes, indicating these incidents could largely be prevented. Greece frequently encounters devastating wildfires during hot, dry summers, with a significant fire in 2018 killing over 100 people east of Athens.
Despite Greece avoiding recent heatwaves affecting western Europe, the country experienced numerous blazes both on the mainland and islands. To address the wildfire threat intensified by climate change, Greece has implemented technological solutions. This includes integrating satellites launched in May for effective monitoring and response.
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