Firefighters are trying to contain a rapidly spreading forest fire on Greece’s largest island, while more than 1,500 people have been evacuated from homes and hotels in Crete, Greek media reported on Thursday.
The fire is currently covering an area of approximately 13 square kilometres. More than 150 rescue workers are fighting the fire. About 40 fire engines and water tankers are involved. The flames have reached residential buildings.
The fire service has locally warned people of the need to evacuate. They also urged local residents not to return to the disaster area to rescue their property.
On the Greek peninsula of Chalkidiki, a forest fire broke out near the coastal village of Vourvourou. People were advised to temporarily move to the town of Nikiti.
Local authorities reported that the fire front is relatively small, measuring 800 metres. Rescuers hope to extinguish it quickly. Sixty-five firefighters and nine aircraft are involved.
A forest fire is also being fought near the Turkish resort town of Çeşme in the province of Izmir. The fire is approaching houses and a motorway. Firefighters and local volunteers are trying to stop it. They are hampered by strong winds gusting up to 60 kilometres per hour. The dry, hot weather is also helping the fire to spread. The temperature here is 37 degrees.
Europe is melting up in the heat
Over the past week, more than 340 forest fires have been reported in Turkey, six of which are still out of control.
Extreme heat, exacerbated by fossil fuel pollution, has been scorching Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Greece for several days, as southern Europe experiences its first heatwave of the summer.
In the UK, temperatures are forecast to temperatures of up to 34 degrees Celsius are expected in London and south-east England, with the Met Office warning that high temperatures and humid conditions will be “quite uncomfortable” for those working outdoors, as well as for people leaving Glastonbury and arriving at the start of Wimbledon.
