Europe heatwave latest: Wildfires rip through Greece as France, Spain and Italy brace for record temperatures

Wildfires are frequent in Greece during its hot, dry summers.

In 2018, a massive fire swept through the seaside town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping people in their homes and on roads as they tried to flee. More than 100 died, including some who drowned trying to swim away from the flames.

But in recent years, climate change has led to longer and more severe heatwaves, as well as wildfires and destructive floods.

• Europe is bracing for a significant heatwave with temperatures expected to be 5-10C above average, potentially reaching over 40C in popular holiday destinations.
• The extreme heat will affect southern, western, and southeastern Europe, including Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, and Germany, extending from this weekend into next week.
• Major cities like Paris, Rome, Lisbon, and Frankfurt are forecast to experience peak temperatures ranging from 35C to over 42C.
• The heatwave poses risks such as heatstroke, Heat exhaustion, and increased wildfire danger, with Greece already experiencing blazes and France issuing severe fire risk warnings.
• Meteorological agencies across the continent are issuing warnings for high and persistent temperatures, urging caution for exposed and vulnerable individuals.

There is still a very high risk of fire in the regions of Attica and Crete on Saturday, as well as in the Central Greece region, the Peloponnese, North Aegean and Central Macedonia, according to the Fire Risk Map issued by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection.

Britons in Greece have been told to avoid fire risk areas and to use no open flames outdoors.

A total of 40 wildfires broke out in Greece in the last 24 hours, the Fire Department said on Friday.

Of the total, 33 were put out immediately in their initial phase, and firefighters were still battling another Seven as of Friday evening, according to local news reports in Athens.

Fire Department’s investigators are looking into the causes of the fires.