Greece is experiencing a state of panic as wildfires continue to ravage the country, while other popular European tourist spots are being described as “turning into ghost towns.” The World Meteorological Organization has issued warnings about the increased risk of fatalities due to extreme heatwaves. Sardinia is set to face temperatures of up to 46°C today.
Since Monday, Greece has witnessed numerous wildfires, with one leading to the evacuation of 1,200 children from a summer camp. The most severe fire is currently raging in the Dervenochoria region north of Athens, visible through satellite images due to the billowing smoke. Additional fires persist in the coastal town of Loutraki and the southern town of Kouvaras. Protecting human life remains the primary concern for firefighting efforts, as stated by Yannis Artopios, a fire service spokesperson.
In Switzerland, crews are battling a rapidly spreading wildfire near the village of Bitsch in Valais canton. On the Spanish island of La Palma, a wildfire that began on Saturday has already destroyed 20 homes. However, lower nighttime temperatures and increased humidity levels have helped firefighters gain control over the blaze.
Red alerts indicating a high health risk due to extreme heat are in place for Italy, Spain, Greece, and parts of the Balkans. Although official maximum temperatures for Tuesday are yet to be confirmed, provisional results indicate readings as high as 45.3°C in Figueres (northwest Spain), 44.5°C in Bauladu (Sardinia), and 46.3°C in Licata (Sicily). It’s worth noting that Europe’s highest-ever recorded temperature occurred in August 2021, reaching 48.8°C (119.8°F) in the Palermo region of Sicily.
