Athens, July.5 (SANA) Hundreds of firefighters continued battling major wildfires across Portugal, Greece and Spain on Sunday, with Portugal receiving firefighting reinforcements from Spain and Italy as crews worked o contain a blaze that has burned for more than three days.
In Greece, authorities warned residents in parts of Thessaloniki to stay indoors because of toxic smoke from a recycling plant engulfed by wildfire, while another major blaze west of Athens prompted the deployment of more than 150 firefighters, aircraft and helicopters.
Portugal’s largest wildfire, in the Vouzela area, has burned about 12,000 hectares, with more than 1,200 firefighters, hundreds of vehicles and aircraft involved in containment efforts. Although officials said the fire’s intensity had eased, several hotspots remained.
In northeastern Spain, a wildfire in the Girona region has scorched nearly 2,200 hectares, with firefighters warning it may not be brought under control immediately.
Greek officials said strong winds complicated firefighting operations around Thessaloniki, damaging homes and businesses and triggering evacuation alerts. Authorities also noted that about 85% of wildfires in Greece are caused by human negligence, including agricultural activities, discarded cigarettes and outdoor barbecues.
Greece, which regularly faces destructive summer wildfires, is expanding the use of satellite technology to improve fire detection as climate change increases wildfire risks across southern Europe.
A/Dh
