As wildfires continue to plague Spain, the European Union has mobilized support by dispatching two firefighting planes to assist the nation for the first time in activating its disaster assistance program. Spain's Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, announced that he had requested two Canadair water bombers to aid in battling the blazes primarily affecting the north-west León region, where a tragic third death has occurred.
The country’s meteorological agency, AEMET, has warned that the ongoing heatwave is expected to persist until Monday, with temperatures reaching alarming highs of over 44C. Grande-Marlaska emphasized the urgency of securing additional firefighting resources in light of the forecast, indicating the government may call for more firefighters in response to the escalating situation.
The recent wildfires have forced thousands of inhabitants to evacuate, including at least 700 people from Caceres on Wednesday. Following two fatalities among firefighters in León, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his condolences and stressed the commitment of government resources to address the ongoing crisis.
Spain is not alone, as numerous other nations including Greece, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Albania have also reported wildfires, activating the EU's Civil Protection Mechanism for assistance. As of Thursday, aerial support and prepositioned forces have been dispatched, with serious fires in Greece having led to 95 injuries among personnel, including firefighters.
Recent satellite observations have reported significant destruction, with over 10,000 hectares affected in Greece alone since Tuesday. Authorities have declared a red alert for various regions in Greece, reflecting the extreme fire risk.
In Turkey and Albania, similar firefighting struggles are unfolding, affecting both civilians and emergency responders. EU data reveals that approximately 439,000 hectares have burned across Europe this year, a stark increase from the previous year's totals.
The country’s meteorological agency, AEMET, has warned that the ongoing heatwave is expected to persist until Monday, with temperatures reaching alarming highs of over 44C. Grande-Marlaska emphasized the urgency of securing additional firefighting resources in light of the forecast, indicating the government may call for more firefighters in response to the escalating situation.
The recent wildfires have forced thousands of inhabitants to evacuate, including at least 700 people from Caceres on Wednesday. Following two fatalities among firefighters in León, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his condolences and stressed the commitment of government resources to address the ongoing crisis.
Spain is not alone, as numerous other nations including Greece, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Albania have also reported wildfires, activating the EU's Civil Protection Mechanism for assistance. As of Thursday, aerial support and prepositioned forces have been dispatched, with serious fires in Greece having led to 95 injuries among personnel, including firefighters.
Recent satellite observations have reported significant destruction, with over 10,000 hectares affected in Greece alone since Tuesday. Authorities have declared a red alert for various regions in Greece, reflecting the extreme fire risk.
In Turkey and Albania, similar firefighting struggles are unfolding, affecting both civilians and emergency responders. EU data reveals that approximately 439,000 hectares have burned across Europe this year, a stark increase from the previous year's totals.
