FEROCIOUS wildfires have hit Greece and Turkey as firefighters desperately work to control the blazes and emergency evacuations begin.
As temperatures soar past 40C, the Greek holiday island of Paros has become one of the latest hotspot hit by Europe’s raging infernos, forcing ten areas into evacuation.
Specialised firefighters have been deployed to the island of Paros from Athens Credit: @slasher777/X
Fires roar across the continent
Footage shared on social media shows thick orange flames soar above the mountains as dark smoke engulf the island.
Specialised teams have been deployed from Athens to the popular Brit holiday destination equipped with water-dropping planes, five helicopters and almost 90 firefighters.
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Local media report residents are fleeing to the beaches after receiving alert messages on their mobile phones.
It is understood crews have been battling the blaze non-stop since Tuesday after it broke out near Paros’ landfill site.
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Wildfires are hitting the Greek island of Paros Credit: @slasher777/X
Ten areas of the island have been evacuated Credit: @slasher777/X
The flames quickly spread through dry grass, farmland and rugged terrain.
Authorities fear forecasted strong winds could spark new outbreaks or rekindle existing hotspots.
It comes as…
360,000 people were forced to flee their homes in France and Spain
Temperatures are expected to climb above 40C in southwest France
Around 45,000 hectares were been scorched in central provinces around Madrid
A fire four times the size of Paris burns near Bordeaux
Paros Deputy Mayor Charilaos Giourtzidis said two storage facilities have been destroyed.
He said some residents initially refused to abandon their properties because they did not want to leave their animals behind.
A separate has ripped through a forest in Mulga province, Turkey Credit: Getty
65 people have been evacuated from the area Credit: Getty
There have been no reports of injuries or extensive damage to homes.
Early Wednesday morning, residents in the south-eastern coastal villages of Trypiti, Glyfa, Pyrgaki, and Aspro Chorio were ordered to evacuate toward the coastal hub of Dryos.
Two firefighters, 25 and 58, have died after becoming trapped in their vehicle in southern Crete, according to local media.
According to initial information, they lost their orientation due to the thick smoke at Nea Krya Vrysi.
The blaze extends for 15km in the area, prompting the evacuation orders of villages.
The fire has been raging uncontrollably since early Wednesday afternoon and has 156 firefighters fighting the flames.
A separate wildfire – exacerbated by strong winds – has ripped through a forest in Mugla province, southwest Turkey, on Wednesday.
Five airplanes, 11 helicopters, 40 fire trucks and hundreds of personnel were dispatched to extinguish the fire, the Mugla governor’s office said.
Heavy smoke covers the area. Credit: Getty
Five airplanes, 11 helicopters, 40 fire trucks and hundreds of personnel have been dispatched Credit: Getty
A total of 65 residents have evacuated in Seydikemer, according to local media.
The intensive care and palliative care units at Seydikemer State Hospital, about 2.5km from the fire zone, were also evacuated.
Heavy smoke drapes over the area.
Authorities have temporarily shut down the highway from the popular tourist hub of Fethiye to the city of Antalya amid the ensuing disaster.
Temperatures are set to climb again in France with authorities warning to remain vigilant Credit: AP
Wildfire-scorched land near the city of Castellon de la Plana, Spain Credit: Reuters
Wildfires have devastated large parts of France and Spain with more than 360,000 people forced to flee their homes over the weekend.
Firefighters in southwest France continue to fight against a mega-fire four times the size of Paris.
Temperatures in the region are set to hit 41C on Wednesday, which coupled with tinder-dry conditions and strong winds threaten a major set back.
To date, the Bordeaux wildfires have forced 220,000 people from their homes.
On Tuesday firefighter commander Matthieu Jomain said: “We remain vigilant of course today, considering the forecast weather conditions, with a new rise in temperatures and higher wind speeds in the afternoon.”
In Spain, people brace for the fourth heat wave of the summer, with several fires still burning out of control.
Spain’s weather agency AEMET is warning that the risk of wildfires remains very high or extreme across much of the country.
As of Wednesday, a major blaze in central Spain has stabilised – offering a glimmer of reprieve to the stricken landscape.
But in Eastern Spain, 10,000 people are still under evacuation orders due to a wildfire in Castellón which is still not under control.
The fresh heatwave is expected to mainly affect the northeast and parts of central Spain, while temperatures are set to push 40C in several inland areas in the normally hot, southern Andalusia region.
