Wildfires intensified across southern Europe on Wednesday, killing at least three people in Spain, Turkey, and Albania, as emergency crews fought through the night to protect Greece’s third-largest city, Patras.
Outside Patras, firefighters battled to defend homes and agricultural facilities as flames tore through olive groves. Water-dropping planes and helicopters crisscrossed the skies, while residents joined the fight by beating back flames with cut branches or dousing hotspots with buckets of water.
Multiple Fronts Amid Widespread Heatwaves
Weeks of heat waves and temperature spikes have fueled dozens of wildfire outbreaks across Mediterranean Europe. Aircraft were deployed to contain blazes on the western Greek mainland, the Patras area, and the island of Zakynthos.
Athens also sent firefighting support to neighboring Albania, joining an international effort to tackle widespread fires. In Albania’s Korca district, near the Greek border, explosions were reported from buried World War II-era artillery shells disturbed by advancing flames.
Fatalities Across Three Countries
An 80-year-old man died in a blaze south of Tirana, Albania, where residents of four villages were evacuated near a former army ammunition depot.
In Spain’s Castile and León region, a firefighting volunteer was killed while assisting evacuation efforts. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez extended condolences to the victim’s family as thousands were displaced by fires across the country.
In Turkey’s southern region, a forestry worker was killed in a fire truck accident that left four others injured, the Forestry Ministry confirmed. Turkey has been battling severe wildfires since late June, with 18 fatalities to date, including 10 rescue volunteers and forestry workers in July.
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National Emergency Levels Raised
Spain has elevated its national emergency response level, preparing additional resources for regional authorities managing evacuations and road closures. Meanwhile, firefighting resources in Greece, Turkey, and Albania remain stretched thin as shifting winds and extreme heat complicate containment efforts.
