Wildfires rage in Portugal, Greece and Spain as Europe hit by heatwave; 4 firefighters injured in Greece
Wildfires rage across Portugal, Greece and Spain as a heatwave hits southern Europe. In Greece, a wildfire near Thessaloniki injured 4 firefighters and forced evacuations of 150+ residents, with toxic smoke blanketing the city.
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Hundreds of firefighters battled wildfires in Portugal, Greece and Spain on Sunday, with Spain and Italy sending reinforcements to Portugal to help with a massive blaze burning for more than three days.
Authorities urged residents in parts of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city, to remain indoors due to toxic smoke from a burning recycling plant that was engulfed by the wildfire. In central Portugal’s Vouzela area, more than 1,200 firefighters backed up by nearly 400 vehicles and 15 aircraft tried to put out a blaze that broke out Thursday, burning 12,000 hectares (30,000 acres). In Spain, a wildfire in the Girona region burned nearly 2,200 hectares (5,400 acres).
The fire in northern Greece near the Oraiokastro suburb triggered evacuation alerts for three suburbs and a facility housing 157 people with disabilities. Four firefighters were injured by inhaling hot gases. A 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of starting the blaze through negligence.
Another major wildfire broke out west of Athens in the Mandra area, with 210 firefighters, 29 aircraft deployed to battle the blaze through pine forest.
The fire department said about 85% of wildfires in Greece are caused by negligence. Greece has recently launched four satellites into low orbit to monitor for wildfires.