Intense Wildfires in Southern Europe Prompt Evacuations and Warnings
WHO:
AP News - Oraiokastro Mayor Pandelis Tsakiris stated that a clearer picture of the damage would emerge after a full evaluation by authorities.
AP News - Oraiokastro Mayor Pandelis Tsakiris reported that several businesses and homes were damaged due to the wildfire.
AP News - A 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of starting a wildfire through negligence and was due to appear before a prosecutor.
AP News - Hundreds of firefighters are battling wildfires in Portugal, Greece, and Spain.
AP News - Oraiokastro Mayor Pandelis Tsakiris reported damage to several businesses and homes due to the wildfire.
AP News - A 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of starting a wildfire through negligence.
WHAT:
AP News - A fast-moving wildfire broke out Sunday afternoon west of Athens, Greece, prompting the deployment of 210 firefighters, volunteers, specialized teams, and 29 aircraft.
AP News - The wildfire in Portugal had burned across an area of 12,000 hectares (30,000 acres) by Sunday, with officials reporting it no longer had major active fronts but some hot spots remained.
AP News - A wildfire in northeastern Spain's Girona region had burned nearly 2,200 hectares (5,400 acres) and had a perimeter of 40 kilometers (25 miles), with firefighters indicating they may not be able to bring it under control on Sunday.
AP News - A major wildfire broke out west of Athens, Greece, with 210 firefighters and 29 aircraft deployed to battle it.
AP News - The wildfire in Portugal had burned across an area of 12,000 hectares (30,000 acres) by Sunday, according to the European Union’s Copernicus satellite mapping agency.
AP News - A wildfire in northeastern Spain's Girona region had burned nearly 2,200 hectares (5,400 acres) and had a perimeter of 40 kilometers (25 miles).
AP News - In Greece, authorities urged residents in parts of Thessaloniki to remain indoors due to toxic smoke from a burning recycling plant.
AP News - In Greece, 210 firefighters, volunteers, and 29 aircraft were deployed to battle a wildfire in the Mandra area.
AP News - In Portugal, more than 1,200 firefighters, nearly 400 vehicles, and 15 aircraft were involved in combating a wildfire that burned across 12,000 hectares (30,000 acres).
AP News - Spain sent 120 firefighters and 45 vehicles as reinforcements to Portugal.
AP News - A wildfire in northeastern Spain's Girona region burned nearly 2,200 hectares (5,400 acres) and had a perimeter of 40 kilometers (25 miles).
WHERE:
AP News - The wildfire in Greece is near the Mandra area, west of Athens, and also affected the Oraiokastro suburb of Thessaloniki.
AP News - The wildfire in Greece is near the Mandra area, west of Athens.
AP News - The wildfires are occurring in Portugal, Greece, and Spain.
AP News - The wildfire in Greece is near the Oraiokastro suburb of Thessaloniki.
AP News - The wildfire in Portugal is located in the Vouzela area.
WHEN:
AP News - The wildfire in Portugal broke out on Thursday and had been burning for more than three days.
AP News - The wildfire in Greece broke out on Saturday evening.
WHY:
AP News - Fire department spokesman Brig. Ioannis Artopoios stated that about 85% of wildfires in Greece are caused by negligence.
AP News - The fire department stated that about 85% of wildfires in Greece are caused by negligence, including sparks from agricultural machinery and discarded cigarettes.
HOW:
AP News - Firefighting efforts in Greece included the use of water-dropping aircraft and ground teams, with 160 firefighters deployed to battle the flames through the night until aircraft could take off at dawn.
AP News - Firefighting efforts in Greece included the use of water-dropping aircraft and ground teams, with 160 firefighters deployed to battle the flames through the night.
AP News - Firefighting efforts in Greece included the use of water-dropping aircraft and ground teams.
AP News - The EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid coordinated the dispatch of firefighting resources from Spain and Italy to Portugal.
(UPDATED July 6, 2026 17:50 UTC)
A fast-moving wildfire broke out west of Athens, Greece, prompting the deployment of 210 firefighters, volunteers, specialized teams, and 29 aircraft to combat the flames. The blaze has affected the Mandra area and the Oraiokastro suburb of Thessaloniki, with Mayor Pandelis Tsakiris stating that a clearer picture of the damage will emerge after a full evaluation by authorities. Meanwhile, wildfires in Portugal and northeastern Spain continue to pose challenges, with the Portuguese fire having burned across an area of 12,000 hectares and the Girona fire covering nearly 2,200 hectares.
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(UPDATED July 6, 2026 10:18 UTC)
A major wildfire has broken out near the Mandra area, west of Athens, Greece, prompting the deployment of 210 firefighters and 29 aircraft to combat the flames. Oraiokastro Mayor Pandelis Tsakiris reported that several businesses and homes were damaged, and a 76-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of starting the fire through negligence. Meanwhile, wildfires in Portugal and northeastern Spain have also caused significant damage, with the Portuguese blaze burning across 12,000 hectares and the one in Spain affecting nearly 2,200 hectares.
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(UPDATED July 5, 2026 23:20 UTC)
Hundreds of firefighters are currently battling wildfires across Portugal, Greece, and Spain, with significant efforts underway in the Vouzela area of Portugal and near the Oraiokastro suburb of Thessaloniki in Greece. In Greece, authorities have urged residents to stay indoors due to toxic smoke from a burning recycling plant, while a 76-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of starting a wildfire through negligence. Meanwhile, in Portugal, over 1,200 firefighters and nearly 400 vehicles are engaged in combatting a wildfire that has consumed 12,000 hectares, with Spain sending reinforcements of 120 firefighters and 45 vehicles to assist in the efforts.