Greece on highest alert as wildfires rage, France hit by fresh blaze

Greece remained on high alert for wildfires on Saturday, August 1, as major blazes continued to burn across multiple regions, while a separate fire reignited in southern France, prompting further evacuations.

Greek civil protection authorities declared the highest wildfire alert level for large parts of the country, including the greater Athens region, as extreme conditions persisted.

The most critical situation was reported around 60 kilometres north-west of Athens, where flames were advancing along a front stretching several kilometres. Media reports said hundreds of people were evacuated by boat from affected coastal areas.

Fires were also burning across the Peloponnese, with a fire service spokesperson stating that crews were battling blazes at 73 locations on Friday evening.

Another major fire broke out west of Athens, triggering the precautionary evacuation of the suburb of Dasos as thick smoke and flames approached densely populated areas.

On the island of Crete, large fires continued to burn. Although conditions had temporarily improved, strengthening winds threatened to intensify the blazes again and were significantly hampering aerial firefighting operations.

In southern France, a wildfire in the Var department, located between Marseille and Cannes, flared up again on Friday and spread rapidly, forcing approximately 2,500 people to evacuate.

The fire scorched around 1,000 hectares within a matter of hours, according to local authorities, who said 720 firefighters had been deployed to contain the blaze.

France and neighbouring Spain have both been battling a series of intense wildfires in recent days, fuelled by high temperatures and dry vegetation. Scientists say climate change is contributing to more frequent and severe fire conditions.

Elsewhere in Europe, Türkiye has also been dealing with major wildfires.

By Tamilla Hasanova