Wildfires Spread Across Eastern Europe Forcing Thousands To Evacuate

A severe heatwave with temperatures exceeding 44-45°C has fueled widespread wildfires across southeastern Europe, particularly in Greece, Albania, and neighboring countries, forcing thousands to evacuate and causing significant property damage. In Greece, over 50 wildfires erupted in a short period, notably near Athens suburbs like Kryoneri and Drosopigi, as well as on islands such as Evia, Crete, and Kythira, with emergency alerts and evacuations issued amid challenging firefighting conditions. Firefighters, supported by helicopters and water-bombing aircraft, have battled numerous blazes intensified by strong winds, with dozens of firefighters injured and many villages losing power due to damaged infrastructure. Albania also suffered major fires, with the largest near Delvinia scorching over 23,000 acres and leading to evacuations and injuries. Satellite imagery from NASA and reports highlight the scale and intensity of these fires exacerbated by prolonged drought and record heat, underscoring the increasing wildfire risk in the Mediterranean region. Authorities continue efforts to control the blazes amid warnings of sustained high temperatures and dry conditions.