Wildfires spread in Greece as France evacuates 2,500 and Spain battles flare-ups
Why it matters: Gale-force winds and extreme heat are straining cross-border firefighting as southern Europe’s fire season worsens.
Wildfires burned across Greece on Saturday, including near Athens, as strong winds and dry conditions drove new flare-ups and forced emergency evacuations. A major blaze near Agia Paraskevi, close to Porto Germeno about 60 kilometers northwest of Athens, pushed firefighters and emergency crews to retreat in mountainous terrain. In southeastern France, a fire in Var that had been contained earlier in the week reignited on Friday and tore across more than 1,000 hectares in six hours, prompting nearly 2,500 overnight evacuations. Officials said 119,000 hectares have burned in France this year. Spain was still fighting hot spots, with conditions worsening in Leon while restrictions were lifted in 14 towns in Zamora after an 11,000-hectare fire improved.