As Greece battles aggressive wildfires in Patras, an urgent call for aid underscores the increasing severity of climate impacts.
**Greek City Faces Devastating Wildfires Amidst Intense Heatwave**
**Greek City Faces Devastating Wildfires Amidst Intense Heatwave**
A relentless heatwave fuels wildfires threatening cities and villages across southern Europe.
The western Greek city of Patras, home to roughly 200,000 residents, is currently grappling with the threat of rapidly advancing wildfires exacerbated by soaring temperatures and intense winds. Over the last two days, approximately 10,000 hectares have went up in flames within the neighboring Achaia region, prompting mass evacuations, including that of a children's hospital. As fire smoke looms large over the skyline, local inhabitants found themselves watching anxiously from deserted streets amidst extreme wind conditions and searing heat, which reached 38C. The unfolding disaster has led to hospitalizations due to smoke inhalation while entire villages face destruction, with numerous homes and businesses incinerated alongside hundreds of vehicles. More than 500 cars were torched at a customs yard in Patras alone.
Authorities ordered the evacuation of a town with 7,700 residents, while fresh alerts were issued for two additional villages. Firefighting efforts are bolstered by Greece's request for EU water bombing aircraft to assist the over 4,800 firefighters engaged in battling more than 20 active wildfires across the country. Meanwhile, the situation has worsened in other southern European nations, with Portugal deploying 1,800 firefighters to combat several significant blazes, and in Spain, two firefighters tragically lost their lives during the ongoing heatwave that has produced temperatures peaking at 45C.
The crisis has ignited political controversy within Spain, as transport minister Oscar Puente faced backlash for his remarks highlighting the negligence of regional leadership amid the crisis. With this year witnessing nearly 199 wildfires that have wreaked havoc over approximately 99,000 hectares – double last year's figures by mid-August – authorities suspect several outbreaks may stem from arson. In areas such as Albania and Italy, critical wildfire threats continue to emerge while extreme heat warnings remain prevalent.
Climate scientists emphasize that such extreme weather patterns are escalating, primarily due to human-induced climate change, marking a harrowing call to action for governments and communities affected by these devastating wildfires.
Authorities ordered the evacuation of a town with 7,700 residents, while fresh alerts were issued for two additional villages. Firefighting efforts are bolstered by Greece's request for EU water bombing aircraft to assist the over 4,800 firefighters engaged in battling more than 20 active wildfires across the country. Meanwhile, the situation has worsened in other southern European nations, with Portugal deploying 1,800 firefighters to combat several significant blazes, and in Spain, two firefighters tragically lost their lives during the ongoing heatwave that has produced temperatures peaking at 45C.
The crisis has ignited political controversy within Spain, as transport minister Oscar Puente faced backlash for his remarks highlighting the negligence of regional leadership amid the crisis. With this year witnessing nearly 199 wildfires that have wreaked havoc over approximately 99,000 hectares – double last year's figures by mid-August – authorities suspect several outbreaks may stem from arson. In areas such as Albania and Italy, critical wildfire threats continue to emerge while extreme heat warnings remain prevalent.
Climate scientists emphasize that such extreme weather patterns are escalating, primarily due to human-induced climate change, marking a harrowing call to action for governments and communities affected by these devastating wildfires.
