Southern Europe wildfires trigger cross-border reinforcements in Portugal and Greece
Firefighters across Portugal, Greece and Spain battled multiple fast-spreading wildfires on Sunday. Cross-border reinforcements, toxic smoke alerts and fresh evacuations underscored the escalating summer risk
Stock photo used for illustration
Hundreds of firefighters were battling wildfires in Portugal, Greece and Spain on Sunday, as flames spread across parts of southern Europe. Spain and Italy sent reinforcements to Portugal, where a massive blaze has been burning for more than three days
In Greece, authorities asked residents in parts of Thessaloniki to stay indoors and keep windows and doors shut because of toxic smoke from a recycling plant fire that was engulfed by a wildfire. Another major blaze also broke out west of Athens on Sunday afternoon, adding to fire-fighting efforts in the country
In central Portugal’s Vouzela area, more than 1,200 firefighters, nearly 400 vehicles and 15 aircraft were deployed to tackle a blaze that began on Thursday, according to the Civil Protection authority. The European Union’s Copernicus satellite mapping agency said the wildfire had burnt 12,000 hectares by Sunday. The EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid department said Spain sent 120 firefighters and 45 vehicles to Portugal on Friday, while three firefighting aircraft from Italy and Spain were also dispatched. By Sunday afternoon, Portuguese media quoted officials as saying the fire no longer had major active fronts, though some hot spots remained.
In Spain, a wildfire burning since Friday in the northeastern Girona region had burnt nearly 2,200 hectares, according to the EFE news agency. Catalan Fire Service head of operations Eduard Martinez said the blaze had a perimeter of 40 kilometres and firefighters might not be able to bring it under control on Sunday, EFE reported
In northern Greece, a fast-moving wildfire broke out on Saturday evening at a recycling plant near the Oraiokastro suburb of Thessaloniki. The fire triggered evacuation alerts for three suburbs and a facility housing 157 people with disabilities. Strong winds fanned the flames, and the fire department said around 160 firefighters battled the fire through the night until water-dropping aircraft could take off at dawn
Oraiokastro Mayor Pandelis Tsakiris told Greece’s state broadcaster ERT that several businesses and homes were damaged, but said a clearer picture would emerge after a full assessment by authorities. The fire department said a 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of starting the blaze through negligence after sparks from his vehicle allegedly set roadside vegetation on fire. He was due to appear before a prosecutor on Sunday. The fire came days after another wildfire in a nearby area killed a 12-year-old boy and his father.
Another major wildfire broke out on Sunday afternoon in the Mandra area, west of Athens, burning through pine forest. The fire department said 155 firefighters, supported by volunteers, specialised teams, 16 water-dropping planes and six helicopters, were deployed to tackle the blaze
Fire department spokesman Brig Ioannis Artopoios told ERT TV on Sunday that about 85 per cent of wildfires in Greece were caused by negligence, including sparks from agricultural machinery, discarded cigarettes and outdoor barbecues. ‘This means most of them could have been avoided,’ he said. Greece faces frequent wildfires during its hot, dry summers. In 2018, a blaze east of Athens killed more than 100 people, while a massive fire in 2023 in a remote nature reserve in northeastern Greece was the largest wildfire recorded in the EU. The country is also integrating four satellites launched into low orbit in May to monitor wildfires. So far this summer, Greece has avoided the heatwaves seen in much of western Europe, but it has still recorded dozens of fires on the mainland and the islands.
The fires across Portugal, Greece and Spain kept thousands of firefighters and aircraft engaged on Sunday, with reinforcements sent across borders, evacuations ordered in Greece, and several major blazes still being monitored for hot spots and further spread
– Ends
Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Jul 5, 2026 22:10 IST
Hundreds of firefighters were battling wildfires in Portugal, Greece and Spain on Sunday, as flames spread across parts of southern Europe. Spain and Italy sent reinforcements to Portugal, where a massive blaze has been burning for more than three days
In Greece, authorities asked residents in parts of Thessaloniki to stay indoors and keep windows and doors shut because of toxic smoke from a recycling plant fire that was engulfed by a wildfire. Another major blaze also broke out west of Athens on Sunday afternoon, adding to fire-fighting efforts in the country
In central Portugal’s Vouzela area, more than 1,200 firefighters, nearly 400 vehicles and 15 aircraft were deployed to tackle a blaze that began on Thursday, according to the Civil Protection authority. The European Union’s Copernicus satellite mapping agency said the wildfire had burnt 12,000 hectares by Sunday. The EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid department said Spain sent 120 firefighters and 45 vehicles to Portugal on Friday, while three firefighting aircraft from Italy and Spain were also dispatched. By Sunday afternoon, Portuguese media quoted officials as saying the fire no longer had major active fronts, though some hot spots remained.
In Spain, a wildfire burning since Friday in the northeastern Girona region had burnt nearly 2,200 hectares, according to the EFE news agency. Catalan Fire Service head of operations Eduard Martinez said the blaze had a perimeter of 40 kilometres and firefighters might not be able to bring it under control on Sunday, EFE reported
In northern Greece, a fast-moving wildfire broke out on Saturday evening at a recycling plant near the Oraiokastro suburb of Thessaloniki. The fire triggered evacuation alerts for three suburbs and a facility housing 157 people with disabilities. Strong winds fanned the flames, and the fire department said around 160 firefighters battled the fire through the night until water-dropping aircraft could take off at dawn
Oraiokastro Mayor Pandelis Tsakiris told Greece’s state broadcaster ERT that several businesses and homes were damaged, but said a clearer picture would emerge after a full assessment by authorities. The fire department said a 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of starting the blaze through negligence after sparks from his vehicle allegedly set roadside vegetation on fire. He was due to appear before a prosecutor on Sunday. The fire came days after another wildfire in a nearby area killed a 12-year-old boy and his father.
Another major wildfire broke out on Sunday afternoon in the Mandra area, west of Athens, burning through pine forest. The fire department said 155 firefighters, supported by volunteers, specialised teams, 16 water-dropping planes and six helicopters, were deployed to tackle the blaze
Fire department spokesman Brig Ioannis Artopoios told ERT TV on Sunday that about 85 per cent of wildfires in Greece were caused by negligence, including sparks from agricultural machinery, discarded cigarettes and outdoor barbecues. ‘This means most of them could have been avoided,’ he said. Greece faces frequent wildfires during its hot, dry summers. In 2018, a blaze east of Athens killed more than 100 people, while a massive fire in 2023 in a remote nature reserve in northeastern Greece was the largest wildfire recorded in the EU. The country is also integrating four satellites launched into low orbit in May to monitor wildfires. So far this summer, Greece has avoided the heatwaves seen in much of western Europe, but it has still recorded dozens of fires on the mainland and the islands.
The fires across Portugal, Greece and Spain kept thousands of firefighters and aircraft engaged on Sunday, with reinforcements sent across borders, evacuations ordered in Greece, and several major blazes still being monitored for hot spots and further spread
With PTI Inputs
– Ends
Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Jul 5, 2026 22:10 IST
