Three Greek firefighters have been killed while battling wildfires on Crete and in the southern mainland, as extreme heat continues to hamper efforts to control blazes ravaging southern Europe.
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Key facts
- Three Greek firefighters died tackling wildfires on Crete and in the south of mainland Greece, according to the Greek fire department.
- Extreme heat is hindering efforts to control fires across southern Europe.
- Fires stretch from the Atlantic coast to the eastern Mediterranean, and from the Scottish Highlands to the south of Spain.
- Many blazes have been out of control and burning close to towns and cities.
- Repeated heatwaves and strong winds have alarmed experts.
Three Greek firefighters have died while tackling wildfires on the island of Crete and in the south of the Greek mainland, the Greek fire department has said, as extreme heat hinders efforts to control blazes ravaging southern Europe.
The deaths come amid a widespread arc of fires that, according to the Guardian, runs from the Atlantic coast to the eastern Mediterranean, and from the Scottish Highlands to the south of Spain.
Experts have been alarmed because many of the fires have been out of control and burning close to towns and cities, raising the risk to residents and emergency crews alike.
Repeated heatwaves and strong winds have compounded the danger, with specialists warning that the blazes are becoming harder to quell.
The extreme heat gripping the region has made containment efforts more difficult, according to reporting on the crisis facing southern Europe.
Why it matters
Wildfires driven by repeated heatwaves are putting lives at risk and stretching emergency services across a large swathe of Europe. The deaths of three firefighters underscore the human cost of blazes that experts warn are becoming harder to control.
Frequently asked questions
How many firefighters have died?
Three Greek firefighters have died while tackling wildfires on Crete and in the south of the Greek mainland, according to the Greek fire department.
Which areas are affected by the wildfires?
According to the Guardian, the fires stretch from the Atlantic coast to the eastern Mediterranean, and from the Scottish Highlands to the south of Spain.
Why are the fires so hard to control?
Extreme heat, repeated heatwaves and strong winds are hindering efforts to control the blazes, with many burning out of control and close to towns and cities.
Timeline
- Thousands evacuated in Crete as Europe battles wildfires
BBC World: Strong winds have fanned the flames in the Rethymno region as wildfires continue to ravage the Greek island.
- Three firefighters killed on Crete and in mainland Greece as Europe battles wildfires
The Guardian World: Repeated heatwaves and strong winds alarm experts, who warn blazes are becoming harder to quell Three Greek firefighters have died while tackling wildfires on the island of Crete and in the south of the mainland, the Greek fire department has said, as extreme heat hinders efforts