Wildfires Rage Across Southern Europe Forcing Tens of Thousands to Evacuate

Southern Europe is experiencing severe wildfires fueled by an early and intense heatwave, causing widespread destruction and forcing thousands to evacuate. In Catalonia's Tarragona province, around 3,300 hectares have burned, prompting authorities to urge up to 20,000 people to seek shelter, with firefighting efforts hindered by strong winds and difficult terrain. Southern France faces similar challenges, where a wildfire near Marseille injured over 100 people, damaged at least 60 houses, and temporarily closed the airport and train services. Greece's island of Crete also saw massive wildfires leading to evacuations of thousands of tourists. Across Europe, wildfires have impacted multiple countries including Spain, Italy, Albania, Serbia, Switzerland, and Germany, with more than 213,000 hectares burned in the EU so far this year. The European Forest Fires Information System continues to monitor the situation closely as extreme heat and dry conditions maintain a high risk of further fires.