New Wildfires Erupt in Spain as Bordeaux Sees Slight Relief

Firefighters across southern Europe are battling on multiple fronts as the summer heatwave continues to fuel wildfires from Spain to Greece and Turkey. In Spain, new fires erupted in several regions just as crews appeared to be gaining control in other areas, illustrating how quickly conditions can change.

New Fires in Spain

Emergency services in Spain deployed additional aircraft and ground crews to contain newly ignited fires in the centre and south of the country. Record temperatures and drought conditions have left forests and scrubland dangerously dry. Water tankers and helicopters have been operating around the clock.

Slight Improvement Near Bordeaux

In the Bordeaux region of south-west France, where fires had earlier forced evacuations and threatened vineyards, a modest reduction in wind speed provided firefighters with a window to make progress. Authorities cautioned that a return of strong winds could reignite danger at any moment.

Greece and Turkey Also Affected

Wildfires continue to burn in Greece, including Crete, and in Turkey. EU civil protection has been coordinating shared firefighting resources across the region, with several member states sharing aircraft and personnel.

Outlook

Meteorologists forecast continued high temperatures with little or no rainfall across the western Mediterranean for the next week. Authorities across the region urge maximum vigilance and have imposed restrictions on activities that could spark new fires.