Europe Fights Wildfires Across 10 Countries as Heat Kills 1, Evacuates Thousands
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 14
Europe Fights Wildfires Across 10 Countries as Heat Kills 1, Evacuates Thousands
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 14
Summary
Croatia reported 1 death, 14 hospitalizations and more than 1,000 evacuations after a wind-driven fire near Omis, while rescuers pulled 194 people from the sea and boats.
Record heat and severe drought are driving fires across Europe, with France in its driest year, England and Wales in their driest July since 1836, and Belgium and the Netherlands heading for 37C.
Germany evacuated all 1,800 residents of Gey as a forest fire neared within 300 meters, and unexploded World War II ordnance hampered crews fighting roughly 300 hectares of flames.
Spain moved the remains of three 11th-century kings from a monastery near an active blaze and evacuated 800 residents, while a separate fire in Huelva has burned more than 300 square kilometers.
The heat wave is also straining infrastructure: France shut six nuclear reactors in recent days, though EDF said the closures had minimal impact on electricity output.