Wildfires in Turkey and Greece forced mass evacuations and left firefighters dead as crews battled multiple fronts across the Mediterranean on Monday.
Blazes also burned near a tourist resort in Albania after days of searing heat and strong winds.
In Turkey’s Black Sea province of Karabuk, smoke billowed over mountain villages as a wildfire burned into a sixth day.
Authorities evacuated more than a dozen villages while crews worked to stop the flames from spreading through forested slopes.
Wildfires in Turkey and Greece: evacuations, fatalities, and heat fuelled spread
Turkey reported fresh losses among responders. In Bursa, three firefighters were killed when their vehicle crashed on Sunday.
Two separate blazes continued there on Monday, adding pressure to crews already stretched by weeks of fires.
More than 3,600 people were evacuated from settlements in the southern provinces of Mersin and Antalya.
Last week, 10 firefighters died battling a blaze in Eskisehir, highlighting the danger as flames jump lines under gusty conditions.
Greece also faced new outbreaks on dry terrain after a long heat spell. Winds complicated air and ground operations, with local services warning residents to follow evacuation orders and avoid smoke choked areas.
In Albania, a fire near a tourist resort triggered emergency work to protect built up zones and limit disruption to visitors.
Officials deployed crews to ring the perimeter and prevent embers from igniting fresh fronts.
Hot, dry summers are typical across the region, but longer, more intense heatwaves have made recent fire seasons more destructive.
Parched vegetation, shifting winds, and steep landscapes help fires move quickly, leaving responders with narrow windows to contain them.
Authorities across the three countries are focusing on evacuations, perimeter control, and protecting key roads and power lines.
Residents have been urged to follow local alerts, keep clear of fire corridors, and report new ignitions immediately.
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