Wildfires rage in Turkey, Greece, and Albania

Wildfires in Turkey have forced the evacuation of 1,700 people from the country's fourth-largest city, Bursa, as fires surround the city. The government has deployed 1,900 firefighters to combat the blaze, which has scorched over 7,000 acres and killed at least one firefighter. A total of 14 people have died in recent weeks, including 10 rescue volunteers and forestry workers. The fires have also threatened to spread to neighboring countries Greece and Bulgaria, with Bulgaria enlisting help from European Union partners to combat the fires.

Greece and Turkey are battling severe wildfires amid a heatwave, with temperatures reaching 42.4C in central Greece and a record 50.5C in southeastern Turkey. Firefighters are working on multiple fronts in both countries, with Greece requesting EU assistance for six firefighting aircraft. Several villages have been evacuated, and there have been reports of damaged homes, agricultural land, and injuries among firefighters. The situation remains critical, with strong winds complicating efforts to contain the fires.

Wildfires have broken out in several countries in southeast Europe, including Greece, Turkey, and Albania, fueled by dry conditions, high winds, and extreme temperatures. In Turkey, a politician described the scene as "an apocalypse" as over 1,100 firefighters battled flames, with one firefighter dying from a heart attack. In Greece, over 50 wildfires erupted in 24 hours, leading to evacuations in some Athens suburbs and a request to the EU for six firefighting planes. Albania also experienced 26 fires, while Kosovo firefighters extinguished 17 blazes but reported losses including eight cows and 40 sheep. The region has seen temperatures reach record highs, with Turkey recording its highest ever temperature of 50.5C. At least 14 people have died in Turkey in recent weeks, including 10 rescue volunteers and forestry workers.

Two volunteer firefighters died in a water tanker accident while fighting wildfires in northwest Turkey, bringing the total death toll to 17 since late June, with four deaths occurring in the Bursa area over the weekend.