Wildfires in western Europe have receded, but Greece now grapples with severe fires driven by strong winds. Flames surged through a seaside resort, forcing evacuations and hindering firefighting efforts. This event evokes memories of the 2018 wildfire in Mati, Greece, which claimed 104 lives, marking it as Europe’s deadliest fire this century.
Greece’s Fire Emergency
On Saturday, around 500 firefighters worked to shield Porto Germeno, a resort on the Gulf of Corinth. The fire, which started near Agios Vasileios, spread through dense pine forests, forcing the evacuation of about 300 people by sea. Residents expressed devastation, with one local farmer describing the area as completely destroyed. A wildfire meteorologist from the National Observatory of Athens indicated that 40 to 50 square kilometers (15 to 19 square miles) were affected, though official figures are pending.
Special firefighting teams, including international crews from France and Romania, engaged in the operation. They used 19 water-dropping planes and 11 helicopters despite challenging conditions caused by gale-force winds.
New fires emerged elsewhere in Greece, prompting evacuation alerts in regions like Nafpaktos. Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Evangelos Tournas noted that extreme winds have created difficult firefighting conditions, even preventing some aircraft from safely accessing water sources.
Recovery in France and Spain
In southwestern France, officials managed a significant blaze in the Gironde region, enabling 198,000 individuals to return home following one of the largest evacuations in peacetime history. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed the fire is under control, though vigilance remains necessary in some areas.
Despite efforts, some people in affected areas, such as a secondary fire in France that covered 10 square kilometers (4 square miles), could not yet return home. Meanwhile, fires in Spain have stalled, and Portugal’s main fire is under control.
Ongoing Efforts in Southern France
In the Var region of southern France, firefighters worked to contain another fire near the Mediterranean coast. Although it initially seemed controlled, recent winds revived the blaze, impacting around 2,500 residents and prompting evacuation. Temperatures in the area have soared to 42 C (108 F), and several French departments remain under heat warnings.
Returning to Normal in Fire Zones
As emergencies ease in some areas, residents begin confronting the aftermath. In Gironde, many are returning to devastated homes. Matthieu Plessis, a mechanic, revisited his ancestral home in Le Porge, which suffered destruction similar to other properties in the community. Smoke and flames erased familiar landmarks, leaving only remnants of homes and businesses.
Despite the loss, Plessis tries to maintain resilience, saying, “It’s not easy. I’m trying to stay strong and help other people now. I don’t want to spend the next 10 years feeling sorry for myself.”
Europe’s challenges with wildfire are compounded by climate factors. Rising temperatures and prolonged drought, as reported by the European Union’s Copernicus climate service, make vegetation drier and highly flammable, increasing the risk and intensity of fires.