Greece and Turkey latest to be hit by wildfires after devastation in France and Spain

Greece is one of the latest countries to be affected by wildfires with three firefighters killed while battling blazes during high winds in Crete and the mainland.

 

Residents and tourists were evacuated from Krya Vrysi, a mountain village where two firefighters died.

 

Another died in a separate fire in the Peloponnese region, a fire department spokesperson told ‌Reuters.

 

Wildfires have also broken out elsewhere in Greece, on the islands of Paros and Lesbos and the southern town of Trifylia on the Greek mainland.

 

The flames on Crete headed southeast towards the coastal town of Agia Galini. Tourists were evacuated on buses and in cars on Wednesday afternoon, according to a local hotelier.

 

Greece tourism minister Olga Kefalogianni said: “From the outset of the wildfire in Rethymno, the Greek government acted quickly. 

 

“Approximately 40 tourist coaches and intercity buses were deployed. They safely transported residents and visitors evacuated from the affected areas. Temporary accommodation was arranged through the emergency accommodation management platform for people affected by wildfires. 

 

“Thanks to close coordination among all relevant authorities, evacuees are now safely returning to their accommodations to continue with their holidays. 

 

“The safety of residents and visitors remains our absolute priority.”

 

Meanwhile, the main highway connecting Fethiye and Antalya in Turkey had to be closed and part of a hospital evacuated because of a fire in Mugla province.

 

Wildfires have forced mass evacuations of people in Spain and France in recent days.

 

Spanish interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska reportedly warned of "three tough days" ahead, with strong winds and high temperatures, even as a major fire in the Avila and Madrid region stabilised, allowing authorities to lift some of the evacuation and shelter-in-place ​orders.

 

Officials warned of another fire in the northwestern Spanish province of Zamora with an evacuation order for six towns.

 

Temperatures in southwest France hit by devastating fires were expected to rise from around 33C on Tuesday to peak at 41C.

 

However, French firefighters have kept a large fire west of Bordeaux stable.

 

Bordeaux Airport, which has remained operational, said the situation was “gradually improving” with tramway services resumed and local hotels reopened.

 

“Airport operations and services are continuing as normal,” a statement said.

 

The wildfire in the popular tourist region of Landes west of Bordeaux has devastated 104,000 acres of mainly pine trees.

 

Authorities evacuated about 220,00 people, including holidaymakers and local residents, as the fire threatened the Cap Ferret peninsula on the Atlantic coast, only accessible by one road. About 60,000 people have been allowed back.