Two Greek firefighters died after becoming trapped while tackling a wildfire near the western city of Rethymno on the island of Crete, Greece. Witnesses reported several fires broke out on Crete, spreading rapidly with the largest fire front extending up to 15 kilometers (9.3 miles). Gale-force winds have exacerbated the situation, prompting evacuations of several villages on the island.

In southern Turkey, a wildfire in Muğla province forced the closure of the main highway between Fethiye and Antalya and led to the evacuation of part of a hospital.

Meanwhile, Spain and France are experiencing a fourth heatwave this summer. Firefighters are working to prevent flare-ups from major wildfires recently brought under control. In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warned that the next 12 hours would be "decisive" in extinguishing a wildfire near Madrid. Francisco Bolaños, part of the firefighting command, noted that although the fire had not moved overnight, concerns remain about re-ignition due to high temperatures, focusing efforts on stabilizing a 180-kilometer (112-mile) perimeter.

In France, the mayor of Le Barp, Blandine Sarrazin, reported that the situation was "getting harder" after two fires broke out the previous day, urging everyone to be "hyper-vigilant" amid dry winds and temperatures reaching up to 41°C (106°F).

The Copernicus Climate Change Service highlights that Europe is the fastest warming continent, heating twice as fast as the global average, a factor contributing to the increased wildfire risk.

Sources