Overview
- Multiple fast-moving fires on Monday have forced thousands to flee homes across Portugal, Spain, France and Greece and left tens of thousands of hectares burned.
- In southern France near Perpignan a blaze that nearly tripled in size since Sunday has burned about 4,600 hectares, injured emergency personnel and prompted the evacuation of more than 10,000 people.
- Portugal’s Vouzela fire has drawn over 1,200 firefighters, nearly 400 vehicles and aircraft and was mapped by the EU Copernicus service at roughly 12,000 hectares burned.
- A recycling-plant fire on the edge of Thessaloniki produced toxic black smoke that led to shelter-in-place orders and the arrest of a 76-year-old on suspicion of negligent ignition.
- EU countries have sent aircraft, crews and equipment to help overstretched local services, Tour de France spectator access was banned for safety, and forecasts of renewed heat and gusty winds keep the region at elevated risk.