Wildfires sweep Greece, flare up again in France and Spain

Wildfires driven by strong winds swept through several regions of Greece today, including areas near the capital Athens, as authorities launched large-scale firefighting and evacuation operations.

Greek authorities issued warnings of heightened fire risk in the Attica and Evia regions, deploying more than 300 firefighters and 92 vehicles, along with aircraft and heavy equipment, to battle a blaze in Boeotia that forced the evacuation of over 200 people by sea.

In France’s Var department, a wildfire reignited and spread across more than 1,000 hectares within six hours, prompting the evacuation of around 2,500 people. Since the start of the year, wildfires have affected about 119,000 hectares nationwide.

Firefighting teams in Spain continue to battle several blazes, with conditions worsening in the León region. However, improved conditions in Zamora allowed residents of 14 villages to return home, and a fire in Castellón was contained after burning around 10,000 hectares.