Wildfires Spread Across Southern Europe Under Extreme Heat

A severe heatwave is fueling dozens of wildfires across southern Europe, forcing thousands to evacuate and sending temperatures past 40°C.

Red heat alerts are in place in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and the Balkans as health risks soar.

Spain's weather service, Aemet, warns of temperatures up to 44°C in Seville and Córdoba, while southern Portugal faces similar highs.

In Italy, a child died of heatstroke, and north of Madrid in Tres Cantos, a man succumbed to severe burns after a blaze swept through the area.

Residents in Tres Cantos were evacuated as officials described the fire as having "explosive characteristics" due to dry storms and winds exceeding 70 km/h.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said rescue services "are working tirelessly to extinguish the fires" and urged the public to exercise extreme caution.

In Castile and León, nearly 4,000 people were evacuated amid over 30 blazes, including one threatening Las Médulas, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its ancient gold mines.

Another 2,000 residents and tourists were moved from hotels near Tarifa in Andalusia, and almost 1,000 soldiers have been deployed to assist firefighting efforts nationwide.

In Portugal, firefighters contained three large wildfires, including a major blaze near Trancoso, with support from 1,300 firefighters, 14 aircraft and two planes sent by Morocco after local water bombers broke down.

Italy is bracing for 40°C temperatures later this week, following the death of a four-year-old Romanian boy from heatstroke in Sardinia.

France has placed nearly three-quarters of the country under heat alerts, with forecasts exceeding 36°C in Paris and 40°C in the Rhône Valley. Hospitals are preparing for another surge in heat-related cases after dozens of stations broke August temperature records.

In Greece, gale-force winds have fanned flames on Zakynthos, Cephalonia and near Vonitsa, prompting evacuations of villages and hotels.

Türkiye's Canakkale province saw hundreds evacuated as seven planes and six helicopters battled a major fire, and the Dardanelles Strait was closed to allow safe operations for water-dropping aircraft.

Wildfires in Albania and Croatia forced evacuations, and a blaze devastated homes in Piperi village near Podgorica in Montenegro.

The UK is experiencing its fourth heatwave of the year, with amber and yellow heat health alerts in place and temperatures expected to reach 34°C.

Climate experts warn that global warming is making Mediterranean summers hotter and drier, fueling longer and more intense wildfire seasons.

"The unprecedented heatwave is driving widespread wildfires, overwhelming emergency services and forcing mass evacuations across southern Europe."

This topic was reported by BBC News.

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