Bushfires close in on European tourist destination, major city
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Bushfires are burning across Europe, including one in a Spanish tourist hotspot and another on the outskirts of Greece’s second-largest city.
One fire has burned over 1200 hectares near the Costa Brava north-east of Barcelona. The area is popular with holidaymakers for its coastline and sunny weather.
Wildfires are battering Spain, Portugal and Greece, pictured. Giannis Papanikos
However, the fire has forced up to 12,000 people in the Emporda region, including tourists, to stay indoors.
People in 10 local municipalities affected by the warning, while around 40,000 people received a message to their phones, warning them they could lose mobile phone signal if cellular towers go out of action due to the fires.
It comes during a record-breaking heatwave across much of Europe, which is fanning fires in Portugal and Greece.
Euronews is reporting a fire in Vouzela in Portugal’s interior is currently being fought by 1100 firefighters and 25 aircraft.
Minister of Internal Administration Luis Neves said investigations are underway to see how the fire, which has burnt around 11,000 hectares in three municipalities, started, adding arson was a possible cause.
“Night-time conditions are not conducive to ignitions, and yet there were two ignitions at around two or three in the morning,” he said.
“Everything suggests that there was human involvement, in other words, a criminal act”.
There have been no deaths reported as a result of the fires in Spain and Portugal.
A fast-moving fire has also affected Thessaloniki, the second-largest city in Greece, as residents in three suburbs were forced to evacuate.
Hundreds of firefighters battled a blaze in Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city. Giannis Papanikos
The fire ignited in a ravine in a mountainous area around 8.30pm and spread quickly to the plains, burning mostly through brush, the Hellenic Fire Service said. While residences were spared, several businesses were damaged, the service said.
Authorities announced overnight that a 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of starting the fire. He “appeared not to be sober,” the Hellenic Fire Service said.
Wildfires burn on the outskirts of the northern city of Thessaloniki. Giannis Papanikos
Residents of Thessaloniki could see the flames and even heard explosions as flammable materials inside businesses burned. A heavy cloud of smoke blanketed several suburbs and western areas of the city.
About 115 firefighters along with 38 fire engines and an unknown number of volunteers battled the blaze, the fire service said. Firefighting planes briefly engaged but could not operate after dark.
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There was no indication that the fire was heading toward the city, but firefighters remain on alert and more were expected to join the fight. Strong winds made it difficult to contain the fire.
This fire has not caused any deaths, but a blaze on Wednesday in central Greece killed a man and his 12-year-old son.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has not issued updated travel advice for these parts of Europe due to the fires, and there have been no travel warnings issued.
July is a popular time of year for travel in Europe, with thousands of Australians flying across the world to experience the European summer.
– with Associated Press.
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