Europe Wildfire Crisis Shifts To Greece As France, Spain See Relief

Europe’s wildfire emergency showed mixed signs on Saturday as France and Spain gained control over major fires, while Greece faced worsening blazes after powerful winds pushed flames through coastal areas and forced new evacuations.

In southwestern France, firefighters managed to contain the massive Gironde wildfire, which burned around 420 square kilometres of pine forest near Bordeaux. About 198,000 people were allowed to return home after one of France’s largest peacetime evacuations, though officials warned that underground hotspots remained a threat.

A separate fire in the Var region was also brought under control, but it remained active. Around 2,500 residents were still unable to return, with more than 1,300 firefighters continuing operations amid extreme heat and dry conditions.

Spain’s major wildfires stopped making significant advances, and most evacuation orders were lifted. Portugal also reported improvement, with its main wildfire declared under control. However, authorities warned that high temperatures, drought and strong winds continued to create dangerous conditions across southern Europe.

The worst situation shifted to Greece, where gale force winds fuelled fires near Porto Germeno, a seaside resort west of Athens. Hundreds of firefighters battled flames that destroyed forests and homes, while around 300 people were evacuated by sea. Authorities also issued fresh evacuation orders for nearby villages.

Greek officials said extreme turbulence made firefighting aircraft operations difficult, preventing some planes from safely collecting water or reaching fire zones. Nearly 500 firefighters, supported by teams from France and Romania, along with water dropping aircraft and helicopters, joined the response.

Scientists have linked the worsening wildfire conditions across Europe to rising temperatures and prolonged drought. The EU’s Copernicus climate service has warned that Europe is warming faster than the global average, leaving forests and vegetation increasingly dry and easier to ignite.