Another heat wave has hit Europe this week, raising the risk of fires that have already forced thousands to evacuate from tourist sites and residential areas.
Fires so far have been concentrated in France and Spain, but European Union officials warn risks could spread to other regions in the coming days.
“The next risk, it’s already moving to Greece and also Central Europe,” said Maria Zuber, head of the European Union’s Emergency Response Coordination Center, according to Reuters.
Three firefighters died battling fires that broke out in Greece on Wednesday, and Zuber said Italy will face heightened risk at the beginning of August.
“We will need to see what will happen with the Iberian Peninsula, because if [it is] there as well, we will have all Europe on fire,” Zuber said.
Impact on Tourism
Hundreds of thousands have been evacuated since the fires broke near popular tourist destinations