Fire crews in Greece, Spain, and Portugal are in a race against time to contain devastating wildfires, as the European Union steps up cross-border assistance to combat the crisis. With calmer winds providing a temporary respite, firefighters are leveraging the opportunity to intensify water drops from aircraft, focusing on stabilizing existing fire zones rather than chasing rapidly advancing fronts.
The Situation on the Ground
In Portugal, alongside Greece and Spain, the battle against wildfires continues under extreme heat and dry conditions. Authorities warn that these scorching temperatures are likely to persist, exacerbating the risk of further outbreaks.
Spain has reported a tragic loss, with a 37-year-old volunteer firefighter succumbing to severe burns sustained while battling flames north of Madrid. This marks the third fatality in Spain due to the recent fires, with thousands evacuated and unable to return home.
Greece has seen a major blaze near the southern port city of Patras contained, thanks to a large-scale deployment of resources. Three individuals have been arrested on suspicion of arson, highlighting the potential human factor in these disasters.
EU Mobilizes Support
The European Union’s civil protection agency has responded to calls for help from Greece, Spain, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Albania, dispatching firefighting planes and helicopters from member states. This summer has seen the agency activate assistance 16 times, a stark indication of the high number of catastrophic wildfires sweeping across Europe.
Alarmingly, the number of activations for 2025 already matches the total for the entire 2024 fire season, underscoring the escalating severity of wildfires in the region.
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