New wildfires erupt across Southern Europe amid heatwave

Southern Europe is battling a fresh wave of wildfires, fueled by a persistent heatwave and strong winds. New blazes have broken out in France, Spain, Greece, and Turkey, straining firefighting resources across the region.

In Spain, a particularly severe fire ignited in a national park in the northwest, near the Portuguese border. Approximately 950 people, including residents of a nursing home, have been evacuated from the affected area. Twelve villages surrounding the municipality of Fermoselle, within the Arribes del Duero National Park, were evacuated, according to regional government officials. Additionally, two other towns are under curfew.

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The wildfire situation is extremely tense.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the wildfire situation as "extremely tense" during a press conference. He stated that ten fires of varying intensity were currently active across Spain. With a new heatwave expected to last until Sunday, Sánchez urged the public to exercise extreme caution. He also announced that Spain has requested the European Commission to establish a new European center for firefighting on the island of Mallorca.

Meanwhile, the situation has slightly eased in other parts of Spain, with some evacuations and curfews being lifted. However, around 9,500 people in the Autonomous Community of Madrid are still unable to return to their homes. France is also experiencing renewed wildfires, with significant blazes reported in the Var department and the Forest of Fontainebleau, south of Paris. The coastal area near Bordeaux, which had already suffered the season's worst fires, is again battling new outbreaks amidst temperatures reaching up to 41 degrees Celsius and strong winds.

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The population is urged to exercise extreme caution.