Wildfires fueled by extreme heat and prolonged dry conditions are affecting parts of Europe, prompting evacuations, advisories and localized disruptions in several destinations.
Greece Battles Blazes, France Reopens to Visitors
According to PBS News, firefighters in Greece continue battling fast-moving wildfires west of Athens after strong winds pushed flames beyond containment lines. Authorities have evacuated more than 1,000 people from communities near the seaside resort of Porto Germeno, while more than 250 people were rescued by boat from nearby beaches.
In France, firefighters have largely contained the massive wildfire in the Gironde region, allowing approximately 198,000 evacuated residents and visitors to return home after what officials described as the country’s largest peacetime evacuation. Another wildfire in the Var region of southeastern France remains active, where approximately 1,500 firefighters continue containment efforts. News reports say the Gironde blaze burned roughly 162 square miles, making it France’s largest recorded wildfire.
Despite the ongoing response, French tourism officials say the fires remain confined to limited areas and are not disrupting travel across most of the country. While emergency crews continue battling blazes in parts of the Gironde and Landes in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, authorities say major cities, transportation networks, cultural attractions, hotels and restaurants continue operating normally.
Travelers are advised to avoid areas directly affected by the fires and follow local guidance, while destinations including Bordeaux, Saint-Emilion, the Basque Country, Dordogne and La Rochelle remain open to visitors.
Meanwhile, CBS News reports that major wildfires in Spain were no longer advancing, while Portugal’s largest active blaze was under control, signaling improving conditions across parts of the Iberian Peninsula.
The European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) continues to classify wildfire risk as high across parts of southern Europe through at least Aug. 5, with elevated risk extending into some traditionally cooler northern regions.
