Wildfires rage across Europe and Canada as thousands evacuate
Uncontained wildfires are raging across Southern Europe and Western Canada, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents and tourists. At least one person has died in Canada, where a provincial state of emergency has been declared as blazes sweep across both continents.
In Italy, fast-moving flames reached the perimeter of Lake Garda, prompting emergency crews to evacuate more than 200 locals and holidaymakers. Similar emergency evacuations swept through fire-threatened communities in Spain, Greece, and Albania over the weekend.
Greek forces battle blazes near Athens
Greek police ordered the immediate evacuation of Kouvaras, located southeast of Athens, as a fresh wildfire threatened residential homes. Approximately 200 firefighters, supported by seven helicopters and two water-dropping aircraft, are struggling to contain the flames amid powerful, shifting wind gusts.
This marks the second major wildfire to strike the outskirts of the Greek capital this summer. Just ten days ago, a massive blaze scorched over 11,000 hectares of pine forest and farmland before emergency crews brought it under control.
In Spain, more than 300 firefighters backed by 21 aircraft are battling a large-scale wildfire in Castellón province. Authorities expressed deep concern that forecast thunderstorms could further inflame the perimeter tonight.
Meanwhile, in Albania, military personnel joined firefighters in an all-night operation to suppress a wildfire burning on Mount Krujë. The fire directly threatens nearby settlements and looms just 38 kilometers from the capital, Tirana.
Several villages in the region were evacuated after the fire spread rapidly toward populated zones. Police have arrested a man suspected of accidentally starting the blaze.
"Please cooperate with the police, evacuate your homes. This is for your safety, the safety of your families, and the safety of the police officers who are working to protect you," said Besfort Lamallari, Albania's Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs.
Canadian province declares state of emergency
Across the Atlantic, relentless wildfires in Western Canada have stretched emergency services to their limits. A provincial state of emergency has been declared in British Columbia as severe blazes spread unpredictably.
"It is extremely dangerous, the wind is changing direction from one minute to the next. The fires are spreading incredibly fast. This new fire represents a significant change in the overall situation in our province," stated David Eby, Premier of British Columbia.
Over one hundred active wildfires threatened communities across British Columbia over the weekend. Environmental agencies issued severe air quality advisories for large swathes of the region as smoke blanketed the area.
"I went to bed quite early and didn't even realize it was already 3:00 AM until my neighbor was knocking on my door saying we had to get out of there," recalled one local resident.
In total, more than 20,000 people have been evacuated across Canada as active fire zones expanded to cover more than 95 square kilometers.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
