Wildfires

Wildfires - Spain

A wildfire ripped through a forest in the northwest of Spain with the flames advancing through dry bushes. Emergency services have tirelessly battered the fire with 22 fire brigades, 12 helicopters and four aeroplanes are working on fire control. Local media claims over 110 members of the armed forces have also been deployed to try to stop the fire. Last-minute estimates suggest the fire affects more than 1,200 hectares, including a large extension of pine trees as it remains active, nearly 24 hours after it started.

Wildfires - Italy

A heatwave that has left Italy sweltering in record temperatures sparked wildfires on Thursday which claimed the life of one elderly woman and forced the closure of a major highway. A section of the Via Aurelia coastal motorway that runs northwards from Rome to the Riviera had to be closed for several hours because of a major fire near Grosseto in Tuscany.

Wildfires - Greece

Three firefighters have been hurt battling a large brush fire south of the Greek capital, Athens. Authorities have ordered the evacuation of dozens of homes in two communities in Lagonissi, a coastal area 30 kilometers from Athens, after several homes and cars were destroyed in the fire. Dozens of firefighters and fire engines are taking part in the operation. Winds up to 60 kilometers per hour were hampering the firefighting effort, while temperatures in the area reached 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit).

Wildfires - Albania

In Albania about 300 firefighters and military personnel are working to keep under control about 25 wildfires that have broken out in the last 24 hours. About 20 of the fires are threatening residential areas in the capital, Tirana, as well as in the cities of Vlora, Dibar, Elbasan and Berat, where vast areas of forest are burning.