The scorching and dry summer set a new record today as wildfires continue to blaze in parts of Greece and France.
Europe has been identified as the continent experiencing the most rapid warming on Earth, heating up at a rate more than double the global average since the 1980s, as reported by the European Union’s Copernicus climate service.
The rising temperatures and prolonged dry spell have left vegetation drier and more prone to ignition, facilitating the rapid spread of fires.
In the vicinity of Athens, wildfires breached containment lines a day after a collision between two helicopters claimed the lives of two crew members.
A British national, employed in the Greek firefighting service, survived the helicopter crash and is anticipated to be discharged from the local hospital this week following a successful recovery.
Meanwhile, in France, firefighters near Bordeaux are vigilant against potential resurgence within a still-burning area four times the size of Paris.
The Athens region remains on high alert with numerous evacuations in place. Strong winds have returned to southern Greece, propelling flames towards residential areas in the mountains, resulting in the destruction of farms and properties, and the closure of a major highway.
Areas surrounding the Greek capital are expected to remain at high risk throughout the week, with temperatures predicted to escalate further.
Over 1,000 individuals have been evacuated from the vicinity of the seaside resort of Porto Germeno and other areas west of the capital, with more than 250 people rescued by boats from beaches in the region.
Describing the situation as challenging, Fire Service spokesman Yiannis Artopios mentioned the deployment of 12 water-dropping planes and 11 helicopters in the affected area.
The fire outbreak has been attributed to a malfunctioning power line from a wind farm, leading to the arrest of two contractors on charges of negligent arson.
Authorities reported that 33 individuals were arrested between June 29 and August 2 for initiating fires, with 30 cases due to negligence and three suspected cases of arson.
Most of the negligence incidents involved agricultural activities carried out despite local restrictions, including banned welding operations.
Since early morning, emergency crews have been tirelessly combating the wildfires as they race against time, as winds tend to intensify in the afternoon. The army has deployed tracked earth movers to create firebreaks on the scorched hillsides, while specialized units have ventured into forested areas on foot to extinguish smoldering embers before they can flare up again.
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