Wildfires driven by extreme heat and drought are forcing evacuations at some of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, as the continent faces one of its most dangerous fire seasons on record.
The head of the European Emergency Response Coordination Centre said this summer could become the biggest wildfire season in European history.
Greece has seen severe disruption. On Crete, thousands of residents and tourists were evacuated as strong winds drove a large fire toward popular resorts. Evacuations also took place on the island of Paros, and high fire danger persists across other parts of the country.
In France, fires in the Gironde department have burned tens of thousands of hectares. Authorities asked tourists to temporarily avoid the region, and campgrounds, tourist complexes and residential areas have been evacuated. Bordeaux airport remains open.
Spain declared a national state of emergency, later downgraded. Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Madrid region, described the latest fire there as the worst in the region’s history. Forecasters predict temperatures above 41 degrees Celsius, keeping fire risk high.
Portugal evacuated around 800 people near the municipality of Valpasush and closed highway A25. Italy faces extremely high fire danger in early August, with 19 cities including Rome, Venice, Milan, Naples and Florence under the country’s highest heat alert.
In southern Turkey, fires are burning through the tourist provinces of Antalya and Mugla. Local authorities said at least five people have been injured, including three firefighters.
