Wildfires Rage in Greece as Soaring Temperatures and Strong Winds Cause Havoc

As Greece battles uncontrolled wildfires fueled by scorching temperatures and powerful winds, thousands are evacuated and emergency response efforts escalate.

Wildfires are sweeping through western Greece, posing a significant threat to the city of Patras, the nation’s third-largest urban center. In addition to the devastation caused by the flames, a widespread heatwave is gripping much of southern Europe, exacerbating the crisis.

The fast-moving blazes have already consumed around 10,000 hectares in the Achaia region in just two days. Many residents were forced to evacuate their homes, including a nearby children’s hospital, as fierce winds pushed the raging flames closer to urban areas. Smoke billowed high above Patras, prompting a surge in hospitalizations due to respiratory issues among those exposed to the thick haze.

Deserted streets characterized the city on Wednesday, with residents witnessing helplessly as fire approached from the mountains surrounding them. The heat soared to a suffocating 38 degrees Celsius, compounding the already dire circumstances. Authorities acted swiftly, issuing evacuation orders for a town of 7,700 and raising fresh alerts for additional nearby villages.

Coastguard teams have been busy rescuing people from threatened beaches on the islands of Chios and Zante, as Greece's government sought assistance from the EU for firefighting resources. More than 4,800 firefighters are currently combating over 20 active wildfires across the country.

The situation in Greece is mirrored in neighboring Portugal, where 1,800 firefighters are engaged in battling five major blazes. As part of a broader pattern, Spain is grappling with extreme heat that contributed to the deaths of a civilian and a volunteer firefighter amid widespread wildfires, declaring nearly the entire country at high risk of fire.

Political tensions in Spain have flared as the transport minister criticized the absence of regional leaders during the crisis, leading to calls for his resignation from opposition parties. Current estimates indicate that nearly 99,000 hectares have burned nationwide in Greece this year, highlighting a sharp increase compared to previous years, with authorities suspecting some incidents may be due to arson.

Albania's defense minister warned of a critical week as several wildfires scorched central areas, while Italy faced a new crisis on Mount Vesuvius. Amidst these challenges, extreme heat warnings persist in cities like Florence, where temperatures have reached 39 degrees Celsius. The ongoing heatwave across southern Europe underscores growing concerns about climate change and its drastic effects on weather extremes, including the frequency and intensity of wildfires.