Firefighters Battle Major Wildfires on Crete Amid Heatwave, Evacuations

Firefighters across multiple locations have been battling significant blazes amid challenging conditions. In Cornwall, crews from St Keverne, Helston, Mullion, and Falmouth extinguished a fire in a commercial building at Porthkerris without damage to nearby businesses. Meanwhile, on the Greek island of Crete, over 130 firefighters, supported by helicopters and vehicles, have fought a fast-moving wildfire driven by gale-force winds and dry conditions for several days, leading to the evacuation of thousands of residents and tourists. The wildfire has destroyed forests, olive groves, agricultural land, and damaged homes, raising concerns about the impact on the peak tourist season. In addition to Crete, a wildfire in an Athens suburb threatened homes and caused power outages, leading to further evacuations. The ongoing fires highlight the severe impact of an early European summer heatwave, complicating firefighting efforts and prompting significant emergency responses.