Overview
- A fast‑moving wildfire that began in dry bushland on Tuesday north‑west of Thessaloniki reached a house in Liti and investigators have confirmed the deaths of a father and his 12‑year‑old son while a 40‑year‑old woman is hospitalized with burns.
- Greek crews deployed more than 115 firefighters supported by forest commando teams, dozens of vehicles and aerial assets to hold the Liti blaze and kept teams on site to prevent flare‑ups as arson investigators probe the cause.
- In southern France nearly 3,000 people were evacuated from coastal towns and campsites and up to 800 firefighters with water‑bombing aircraft fought blazes that have scorched hundreds to about 900 hectares in Aude and Hérault.
- Officials and health agencies link the outbreaks to record‑breaking June heat, prolonged drought and strong winds that fuel rapid fire spread, and Greece has begun using a new four‑satellite Hellenic Fire System to detect and track fires.
- Authorities warn conditions will remain difficult with forecasts for continued high temperatures and gusty winds, raising risks of more fires and prolonged pressure on emergency services and local communities.