Wildfires Rage Across Europe: Thousands Evacuated Amid Crisis

URGENT UPDATE: Wildfires have devastated southern Europe this week, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes as blazes rage in Spain, Italy, France, and Greece. The Copernicus Emergency Management Service has released a new map pinpointing wildfire danger hotspots, essential for anyone planning travel in the region this summer.

As of August 13, 2023, approximately 1,700 square miles have been scorched across Europe, double the average for this period since 2006. A volunteer in Patras, Greece, described the scene as “like doomsday.” Local authorities have evacuated a children’s hospital and a retirement home. The situation is dire, with around 500 vehicles destroyed as flames engulfed a tow yard.

In the popular tourist islands of Chios and Cephalonia, residents have been urged to evacuate as wildfires spread. To combat the fires, about 5,000 firefighters are deployed, supported by 45 planes and helicopters. Tragically, a volunteer firefighter died in the Castile and Leon region of Spain after suffering severe burns while battling a blaze near Nogarejas.

Officials are sounding alarms over the increasing risks firefighters face in unprepared landscapes. Alexander Held, a senior expert at the European Forest Institute, emphasized the dangers: “Imagine an industrial building with no fire protection—firefighters would refuse to enter, yet we expect them to operate in hazardous natural environments.”

The crisis is compounded by alarming reports from Greenpeace, which claims that an annual investment of around £860 million in forest management could potentially save around 9.9 million hectares of land—an area equivalent to the size of Portugal.

In France, the largest wildfire in half a century is spreading, covering an area larger than Paris. Authorities have mobilized 1,300 firefighters to prevent it from reigniting. Immediate evacuation orders have been issued for residents in the Aroi, Diakou, Girokomeio, and Lykochoro regions, directing them to move toward Patras.

In Spain, arson is suspected in some of the recent fires. Environment Minister Sara Aagesen confirmed that a firefighter was arrested for starting blazes near Madrid. Meanwhile, a wildfire on Mount Vesuvius in Italy has prompted shutdowns of tourist trails as flames consumed hundreds of hectares of woodland, affecting visitors in Pompeii and Naples.

Further complicating the situation, wildfires have also erupted in Albania and Turkey. In Albania, one person has died, while Turkish authorities have evacuated hundreds from the northwestern province of Canakkale.

As fires continue to threaten lives and property, authorities urge everyone to stay informed and prioritize safety. Monitor the latest updates and tools available from the Copernicus Emergency Management Service to plan your travel effectively.