Wildfires are burning in the most popular holiday destinations from Greece, Turkey, Italy to Bulgaria. What’s more, temperatures are expected to rise to 45 degrees Celsius across southern Europe by 3 August, according to warnings from the Foreign Office.
If you’re getting ready to go on holiday, you can check out NASA’s online fire map with satellite images. The project is called FIRMS and detects fire areas around the world to help firefighters respond.
According to the images, even central Bulgaria is engulfed in flames right now.
Fire warning in Greece
Temperatures will rise steadily until 3 August, with highs expected to reach 43 degrees Celsius in some mainland areas and even 45 degrees Celsius in isolated areas.
According to the warning issued by the MFA, temperatures in the capital city of Athens will range between 41 and 42 degrees Celsius during this period, with the possibility of temporarily higher values.
At the same time, the Greek State Secretariat for Emergency Situations has issued a fire warning (alert level 4 out of 5) for the following areas:
Attica region (including the capital Athens);
Central Greece region (Evia and Viotia areas);
Peloponnese region (areas of Corinth, Argolida);
North Aegean region (islands of Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Ikaria);
the island of Crete.
The Greek authorities advise everyone to be careful and avoid any outdoor activity that may cause a fire by carelessness (e.g. burning/clearing of dry vegetation, use of machinery/ devices that cause sparks, use of outdoor barbecues, smoking beehives, throwing lit cigarettes, clearing/burning of vegetation on agricultural plots, which is forbidden during this season, etc.). In the event of a fire, citizens are asked to call the fire brigade immediately on 199.
Southern Turkey devastated by vegetation fires
Hot weather and strong winds have caused the flames to spread across the town of Manavgat, 75 kilometres east of the resort of Antalya, and nearby villages. Several residential areas were evacuated in the middle of this week.
Italy consumed by hundreds of fires
Fires have also been raging on the tourist island of Sardinia since last week, causing widespread damage and millions of dollars worth of damage.
On Thursday evening, the island’s fire department reported new outbreaks in the western province of Oristano.
In southern Italy, the fire service said it was taking part in dozens of fire-fighting operations.
In the town of Agrigento in Sicily, firefighters battled a blaze that stretched for five kilometres.
Drought, high temperatures and strong winds in recent days have contributed to the spread of the flames.
So before you plan your holiday, find out what’s happening in the world at the moment.