Southeastern Europe faces intense wildfires

Southeastern Europe is experiencing severe wildfires in recent weeks, due to extreme temperatures across the region.

Greece

Firefighters in Greece were working to control five major fires in the Peloponnese area to the west of Athens, as well as on the islands of Evia, Kythira, and Crete, as of 27 July. Additionally, 11 regions of Greece are reportedly at “very high risk” of fire.

The wildfires have been driven by persistent extreme heat – temperatures in southeastern Europe have exceeded 40°C for over a week – as well as high winds.

The Greek government has now formally requested six firefighting aircraft via the European Union (EU) Civil Protection Mechanism to support its efforts.

Cyprus

The island of Cyprus has also requested firefighting assistance via the Civil Protection Mechanism, following a major fire in the Limassol district. In response, the EU has mobilised two Canadair planes from its rescEU joint firefighting fleet.

Turkey

In neighbouring Turkey, the country’s Environment Ministry has reported a temperature reading of 50.5°C in the southeastern city of Silopi – breaking a previous record temperature of 49.5°C recorded in August 2023.

Additionally, firefighters have been working to put out a wildfire in the north of Karabük Province for over four days, while 10 people died fighting a separate blaze in the province of Eskişehir earlier this month.

A previous wave of wildfires earlier this year led to the displacement of 50,000 people in Turkey, and 5,000 on the Greek island of Crete.