Europe’s wildfire emergency has eased across much of western Europe, but its most dangerous front has shifted to Greece, where gale-force winds are driving flames through a seaside resort, forcing hundreds to flee by sea and hampering firefighting aircraft.
Greece Battles Wildfires
Nearly 500 firefighters are battling to protect Porto Germeno, a popular resort on the Gulf of Corinth, as flames tear through thick pine forest and smoke blocks out the sun. The fire broke out Friday near the neighboring coastal village of Agios Vasileios, and about 300 people have been evacuated by sea.
The operation includes specialized forest-fire teams, crews temporarily deployed from France and Romania, 19 water-dropping planes, and 11 helicopters. New fires have erupted elsewhere in Greece, with a blaze east of Nafpaktos prompting evacuation alerts for at least four villages.
Western Europe Sees Easing Emergency
In southwestern France, firefighters have held a vast wildfire within its perimeter, with about 198,000 people now allowed to return home after what may have been the country’s largest peacetime evacuation. Major fires in Spain are also no longer advancing, and Portugal’s main blaze is under control.
A second French fire has stopped expanding overnight after racing across 10 square kilometers in six hours Friday. However, it remains active, and 2,500 people are still unable to return home.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
