Wildfires sweep Southern Europe: two firefighters dead in Greece, thousands evacuated across France, Spain, Turkey

Overview

A severe heatwave and powerful winds have fanned fresh wildfires across Southern Europe, stretching emergency services in France, Spain, Greece and Turkey. The blazes have killed two firefighters on the Greek island of Crete, forced the evacuation of thousands of tourists and residents, and scorched tens of thousands of hectares. Temperatures reached 41°C in parts of France, while strong winds grounded firefighting aircraft in Greece. Authorities in multiple countries warned that the dangerous conditions would persist through the weekend.

France: new outbreaks and a cautious return in Bordeaux

In France, firefighters battled new fires in several regions on 29 July. In the southern Var department near Brignoles, a blaze consumed 100 hectares and forced 600 to 700 people to evacuate. Some 250 firefighters, seven helicopters and four water-bomber planes were deployed. Further north, a fire in the forest of Fontainebleau south of Paris was contained with help from local farmers who trucked water to the scene; no evacuations were ordered there. In Burgundy, a larger fire near Couchey, close to Dijon, burned 125 hectares, with 150 firefighters, 78 vehicles and two helicopters in action. Authorities warned residents to stay indoors and keep windows shut because of hazardous smoke.

At the Atlantic coast near Bordeaux, where the season's most destructive fires had already charred 42,000 hectares and displaced 224,000 people, a massive deployment of crews prevented a fresh flare-up from spreading on Wednesday.

We can envisage a return to normality for residents and businesses that need to carry out their work.

Spain: national park ablaze and a call for EU help

A major fire broke out in the Arribes del Duero National Park on the border with Portugal, prompting the evacuation of twelve villages around Fermoselle in the Castile and León region. Around 950 people were moved to safety, including residents of a nursing home in Muga de Sayago, according to the Guardia Civil. Two additional villages were placed under curfew.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, after meeting King Felipe VI in Palma de Mallorca, described the wildfire situation as extremely tense. He said ten fires of varying size were active across Spain and called on the public to exercise extreme caution with a new heatwave forecast to last until Sunday.

The wildfire situation is extremely tense.

Sánchez also said he had asked the European Commission to establish a new firefighting centre in Mallorca. While conditions eased in some areas, about 9,500 people in the Madrid region were still unable to return home.

Greece: two dead and tourist resorts evacuated

Greece faced multiple fires, with the most severe burning in the south of Crete. Two firefighters died when their vehicle lost orientation in thick smoke. Strong winds were so intense that water-dropping helicopters and planes were forced to turn back. By evening, the coastal resort of Agia Galini was evacuated, affecting around 6,000 tourists, Greek media reported. Further west at Agios Pavlos, the coast guard rescued 29 people by sea. The civil protection ministry warned that high winds would persist in the coming days, keeping the wildfire risk elevated.

Turkey: Antalya fires largely contained

In southern Turkey, fires that broke out on Tuesday in the tourist region of Antalya had mostly been brought under control by Thursday.

Most of the 90 fire sources are under control.

Some residents were evacuated as a precaution when flames approached residential areas. Antalya Governor Hulusi Sahin attributed the outbreaks to extreme heat, strong winds and dry air.