Europe's wildfire crisis: A region on high alert
Wildfires are currently raging across Europe, causing widespread devastation. Bulgaria is on nationwide alert after over 200 fires were reported.
Meanwhile, in Greece and Albania, firefighters are battling the inferno that turns everything in its path to ash. Spain and Portugal have also been impacted by nature's fury.
Spanish army emergency units have joined local teams to combat the blazes. The most affected areas are in the country's south and center.
In the city of Avila, in central Spain, an olive grove has been devastated by the flames. Blas Rodriguez says it belonged to his father, but now only burnt trees and carbonized olives remain.
"This grove burned 16 years ago, but the olive trees were spared. We just had to cut off the affected part, and that was it. But this time, there's no chance of saving them; everything is completely destroyed."
In Portugal, more than 1,700 firefighters are battling fires that have erupted across the country.
"I want to go home."
"I'm waiting to see what the orders will be. We've been told to wait here."
"The fire broke out on Saturday. We've been here all day trying to put it out. It's a very serious fire."
In northern Portugal, authorities have mobilized four planes to help control the blazes. A red alert was issued, and the situation could worsen due to extreme temperatures that haven't let up for several days.
"It's a very complicated moment. The fire is heading towards homes and it's very close. It's a difficult intervention because we're operating in a mountainous area. The flames are spreading rapidly due to the wind," says Augusto Marinho, Mayor of Arouca.
Hot, dry summers are common throughout the Mediterranean region, but more intense heatwaves have contributed to the spread of wildfires. According to the European Union's Copernicus service, the continent is warming rapidly, with temperatures rising at twice the rate of the global average.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
