Wildfires have ravaged several Balkan countries over the summer, including Bulgaria, Greece, and North Macedonia. In Bulgaria, a fire near the capital city of Sofia forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. The government declared a state of emergency as the blaze threatened residential areas and destroyed vast swathes of forest. In Greece, firefighters battled wildfires on the island of Evia and in the Peloponnese region, where high temperatures and strong winds fueled the flames. The Greek government called on other European countries for assistance, with Italy and France sending firefighting aircraft to help contain the blazes. Meanwhile, in North Macedonia, wildfires broke out in several locations, including near the capital city of Skopje. The country’s Prime Minister, Zoran Zaev, warned that the fires were putting people’s lives at risk and urged residents to follow evacuation orders. The wildfires in the Balkans have highlighted the region’s vulnerability to such disasters, with climate change exacerbating the risk of wildfires. Environmental experts warn that hotter and drier conditions are making wildfires more frequent and intense, posing a growing threat to communities and ecosystems. As the summer season continues, authorities in the Balkan countries are on high alert for more wildfires. They are urging residents to take precautions to prevent fires and to evacuate quickly if necessary. The wildfires in the Balkans serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for greater efforts to address climate change and protect vulnerable regions from the devastating impacts of wildfires.
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