A week-long heat wave continues to scorch Europe. Fire season hit earlier this year after an unusual hot and dry spring which authorities attribute to climate change. Tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee wildfires as record-breaking heatwaves scorch southwestern Europe. Hundreds have died from the effect of hot weather.
The worst-hit countries are Spain, France and Portugal. Scientists are blaming man-made change and more devastating forest fires are expected in the coming days as parts of the continent brace for new temperature records now. The intense heat on the Iberian peninsula has created the conditions for flames to spread more quickly and firefighting operations are more difficult because of wind and low humidity. The fires are laying havoc in tourist spots which had just started to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic aftermath.
Heatwave hits Europe
Near the Spanish city of Malaga, a forest fire has forced 1,000s of people to evacuate. A sports stadium has become an emergency shelter for evacuees.
Fires are burning across Southern Europe filling skies with smoke from Northern Italy to southwestern France. Moreover, where firefighters have been battling blazes for days. Thousands of evacuated residents can only watch on and pray their homes are spared.
Strong winds are spreading across the Greek island. Temperatures throughout southern Europe have already been reaching into the mid-40s Celsius and difficult situations are set to only get worse as the record-breaking heat sweeps across Europe for another week.
A total of 39,550 hectares (98,000 acres) were ravaged by wildfires between the start of the year. And mid-June, more than triple the area in the same period last year. Thus, data from the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests showed.
