Wildfires threaten Tour de France as blazes rage in Portugal, Greece, France, and Spain

Wildfires are wreaking havoc across southern Europe as firefighters battle multiple blazes on Sunday, July 16, 2023. Authorities in southwestern France warned that a fire could lead to the partial cancellation of the Tour de France. Fires were also reported in Portugal, Greece, and Spain, coinciding with the peak of the summer tourism season.

Wildfires Impacting Tour de France

French officials are set to decide by the end of Sunday whether to cancel the third stage of the Tour de France. A forest fire, located around 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the route, erupted on Saturday, leaving two individuals—a firefighter and a local resident—in critical condition. More than 750 firefighters, 200 vehicles, and nine water-bombing aircraft have been deployed to control the fire, which has a frontline stretching 18 kilometers.

Cyclists are scheduled to finish in Les Angles in the Pyrenees on Monday. Race officials are hopeful that the route can be adjusted if necessary.

Portugal and Spain Facing Severe Fires

A wildfire that has been burning since Thursday in central Portugal's Vouzela area has scorched approximately 12,000 hectares (30,000 acres). Over 1,200 firefighters, nearly 400 vehicles, and 15 aircraft are currently working to extinguish the blaze. By Sunday afternoon, the situation showed signs of improvement, although some hot spots persist.

Spain has sent reinforcements and two water bombers to assist Portugal. The efforts come amid a wildfire in northeastern Girona, which has devastated nearly 2,200 hectares (5,400 acres) since Friday. Local authorities have ordered nearly 50,000 residents to either remain indoors or evacuate, as the fire remains difficult to control.

Greece's Wildfire Crisis

In Greece, a significant wildfire erupted on Sunday afternoon west of Athens, primarily affecting pine forests in the Mandra area. More than 150 firefighters and 22 aircraft are engaged in firefighting efforts, supported by specialized teams and volunteers.

Additionally, residents in parts of Thessaloniki were instructed to stay indoors after a recycling plant caught fire, producing toxic smoke. A 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of starting the blaze while using a vehicle that generated sparks.

Major fires have also been reported on the Croatian island of Hvar and in Albania. Greece continues to recover from last year's devastating wildfires amid record-breaking temperatures.

EU's Response to Increasing Wildfire Threats

Wildfires have become more severe across southern Europe in recent years, with longer fire seasons and larger areas affected. The latest blazes follow an early summer heatwave that impacted much of Europe. In response, the European Union has ramped up its support for wildfire management, deploying emergency crews from 14 countries to high-risk areas including Cyprus, Greece, Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal.

The deployment includes water bombers and firefighting teams pre-positioned to combat fires effectively.