PARIS: Firefighters in France, England, Croatia and Greece battled dangerous wildfires on Aug. 14 as a powerful heatwave pushed temperatures to record levels across Europe. Dry forests, strong winds and landscapes weakened by months of drought made the fires especially difficult to control.
France, which is facing its driest year on record, was hit by a new wildfire in the Landes region on the country’s southwest coast. The blaze spread through woodland overnight near Luglon, forcing more than 500 people to leave their homes. Hundreds of firefighters were sent to the area, according to regional authorities, according to Hurriyet Daily News.
The fire was one of several burning across France this week. Flames have also reached northern areas and Brittany, regions usually known for cooler and wetter weather. Last month, a major wildfire near Bordeaux destroyed large areas of forest and forced about 250,000 people to evacuate.
England also experienced a difficult day after temperatures reached 38.1 degrees Celsius in west London the country’s hottest day of the year so far. Fires swept through parts of the West Midlands, destroying several homes. Regional fire chief Simon Tuhill described the incidents as among the most serious the service had ever faced.
The National Fire Chiefs Council said 1,017 wildfires had been recorded in England and Wales this year.
France recorded temperatures close to 41 C in several regions on Aug. 13, including Aquitaine and the Rhône River valley. Similar heat was expected on Aug. 14 before temperatures eased over the weekend.
Scientists link the exceptional heat to human-caused climate change. Many European countries, built for colder seasons and with limited air-conditioning, are poorly prepared for prolonged extreme heat.
In Croatia, a wildfire near the coastal town of Omiš forced more than 1,000 people to evacuate. Thirty six people sought medical treatment, while 14 were hospitalized, including seven in life threatening condition. In northern Greece, more than 300 residents and tourists were evacuated by sea after flames threatened homes beside a pine forest.
