A major city in western Greece is currently facing the threat of fierce wildfires as an intense heatwave and powerful winds devastate much of southern Europe. Flames have swept dangerously close to the outskirts of Patras, the country's third-largest city with a population of approximately 200,000, forcing the evacuation of residents, including a children’s hospital, while dense smoke clouds the skyline.
In just two days, nearly 10,000 hectares in the surrounding Achaia region have been consumed by fire. Entire communities have been abandoned, with numerous homes and businesses reduced to rubble, and over 500 vehicles, including those at a customs yard, burnt to ashes.
On Wednesday, the streets of Patras were eerily quiet, with only a few residents spectating helplessly as the flames crept down from the nearby mountains. The weather, characterized by scorching winds and temperatures reaching 38°C, has resulted in individuals experiencing respiratory issues due to the smoke. Authorities have mandated the evacuation of a nearby town of 7,700 residents and issued fresh warnings for two other villages. In response to escalating fires, coastguards have conducted rescues on the islands of Zante and Chios.
In light of the crisis, Greece has sought assistance from the EU in deploying water bombers, complementing the efforts of more than 4,800 firefighters engaged in battling over 20 active wildfires across the nation.
This catastrophe unfolds as a relentless heatwave continues to blanket southern Europe, igniting fires from Portugal to the Balkans. In Spain, tragic news emerged when a civilian and a volunteer firefighter lost their lives amidst ten consecutive days of extreme temperatures soaring to 45°C. The country’s state weather agency has indicated that almost all regions face extreme fire risks due to the ongoing heatwave expected to persist until Monday.
The wildfires have ignited political tensions, notably in Castile and León where the transport minister's remarks about the ongoing crisis faced backlash. Meanwhile, across Europe, approximately 199 wildfires have devastated nearly 99,000 hectares this year, a staggering figure that is double that of the previous year's tally by mid-August, with many fires suspected to be arson-related.
In Portugal, around 1,800 firefighters are combating five major wildfires, including a rekindled blaze in Trancoso, while Albania's defense minister has indicated a "critical week," as 24 active fires displace residents from central villages. Italy has managed to contain a five-day wildfire on Mount Vesuvius but continues to face extreme heat warnings in 16 cities with Florence reporting temperatures as high as 39°C.
In the UK, the summer's fourth heatwave has brought temperatures projected to reach 34°C, raising concerns about the strain on healthcare services. Meteorologists attribute the increasing intensity and recurrence of such extreme weather events to climate change driven by human activities.
