ATHENS, Greece: Wildfires kill at least 3 and force thousands from their homes across southern Europe as firefighters in multiple countries battle fierce blazes fueled by weeks of extreme heat. The deadly fires have hit Greece, Spain, Turkey, Albania, and beyond, stretching firefighting resources to their limits.
In Greece’s third-largest city, Patras, firefighters fought relentlessly to protect homes and farmland as wildfires tore through pine forests and olive groves. Flames rose behind apartment blocks, and dozens of vehicles burned in an impound lot.
“Today is another very difficult day with the level of fire risk remaining very high across many parts of the country,” Fire Service spokesman Vassilis Vathrakoyiannis said. At least 15 firefighters suffered burns, smoke inhalation, or exhaustion and required hospital treatment.
Water-dropping planes and helicopters made repeated passes over burning areas. Local residents joined the effort, beating flames with branches and dousing hotspots with buckets of water.
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Resources Stretched Across the Region
After weeks of heatwaves, firefighting forces remain overstretched. On the Greek island of Chios, exhausted crews slept on the roadside after battling flames through the night. Aircraft rotated between multiple fire zones — from western Greece to the island of Zakynthos.
Greece also sent help to neighboring Albania, where wildfires burned dangerously close to communities. An 80-year-old man died in one blaze south of Tirana. Authorities evacuated four villages in central Albania near a former army ammunition depot, while in the Korca district, explosions from buried World War II-era shells complicated firefighting efforts.
Deaths Reported in Spain and Turkey
In Spain’s Castile and León region, a firefighting volunteer died while helping control a massive blaze that displaced thousands. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed condolences and urged the public to take extra precautions.
Evacuation centers in central Spain reached capacity, forcing some to sleep outdoors. Fires spread into rural areas where residents tried to protect their homes by soaking walls and gardens. High-speed rail services between Madrid and Galicia were suspended after flames approached the tracks.
In Turkey, a forestry worker died when a fire truck accident injured four others in a southern wildfire zone. Since late June, Turkey has reported 18 wildfire-related deaths, including several rescue volunteers and forestry workers.
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France on High Alert
In southern France, temperatures soared to 42°C (108°F) for a third consecutive day. Authorities issued weather alerts, giving officials power to cancel public gatherings and close areas with high fire risk. France, still recovering from recent large-scale blazes, has mobilized emergency crews to support other countries in crisis.
Possible Causes Under Investigation
Authorities believe a mix of factors has contributed to the fires. Investigations point to summer lightning storms, poorly maintained power lines, and careless farming practices. In North Macedonia, police suspect arson linked to rogue property developers.
Outside Skopje, firefighters struggled to contain a blaze threatening a protected nature reserve. Montenegro also faced major wildfires near its capital, Podgorica, with officials admitting their resources were “clearly not enough.”
European Solidarity in Action
The European Union coordinated the deployment of water-dropping aircraft and ground crews to both EU and non-EU countries. Montenegro, Albania, and Greece received additional support as part of the bloc’s emergency response system.
“Natural disasters know no borders,” said Ljuban Tmusic, Montenegro’s civil protection chief. “We have received help from our neighbors, but the fires remain a serious threat.”
Urgent Need for Long-Term Solutions
The devastation underscores a growing crisis across the Mediterranean, where climate change is intensifying summer heatwaves and lengthening wildfire seasons. Experts warn that without stronger prevention measures, such deadly fire outbreaks will become more frequent.
Governments are now facing calls to improve early-warning systems, invest in modern firefighting equipment, and enforce stricter land management regulations to reduce fire hazards.
For the communities affected, recovery will take time. Entire neighborhoods, farmlands, and forests have been reduced to ash. While the flames have taken lives and destroyed homes, the shared efforts of firefighters, volunteers, and international allies highlight a spirit of resilience — even as the fires continue to burn.
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