Southern Europe and Turkey see a decrease in fires, but temperatures escalate.
Heatwave and Wildfires Continue to Challenge Southern Europe and Turkey
Southern Europe and Turkey are currently grappling with extreme heat and wildfire activity. The region has seen numerous wildfires, with Turkey setting a new national temperature record of 50.5°C (122.9°F) in Silopi, Southeastern Turkey, surpassing the previous record of 49.5°C from 2023 [1][2].
In Turkey, more than 2,000 wildfires have broken out this year, according to the Ministry of Forestry and Environment, and at least 14 people, including firefighters, have lost their lives in the fires [1]. Firefighters in the country have largely contained the wildfires as of Saturday, according to the state news agency Anadolu [1]. However, isolated fires were reported in the rural regions of Thrace and Izmir, but they were quickly extinguished [1].
In southern Europe, including Greece, wildfires continue to challenge firefighting efforts, with aerial and ground operations underway. The heatwave affecting the eastern Mediterranean, including Turkey and Greece, is causing serious health risks and creating a very high risk for additional wildfires. The Turkish Red Crescent is actively supporting firefighting operations by providing supplies and aid [2].
Despite recent rainfall, the Greek fire service is on high alert due to expected windy conditions in some areas in the coming days. The wildfire risk remains extremely high in the south of the island of Euboea, the east of Crete, and the region around Athens [1].
In Italy, several fires also had to be extinguished on Sardinia this week, and the situation remains tense, especially in the south of the country [1].
Strong wind is a nightmare for firefighters as it drives the flames forward and makes extinguishing efforts much more difficult. Fortunately, some relief has arrived in parts of the region. Western Turkey's major cities such as Istanbul, Izmir, and Ankara are experiencing thunderstorms, gusty winds, and cooler temperatures around 30°C after a week of sweltering heat [3]. Similarly, Greece's Attica region (including Athens) has relatively clear conditions but with possible afternoon showers in mountainous areas [3].
Looking ahead, a new heatwave is building over the Iberian Peninsula and expected to move eastward through mid-August, which could bring further heat stress and wildfire risks to western and southern Europe, although some cooler intervals are currently observed [4].
Despite the challenges, progress has been made in containing the wildfires. The wildfire near Ponte da Barca in northern Portugal has been almost under control, and the second major wildfire in Spain in Las Hurdes has also been brought under control [1]. A second large fire near the Portuguese town of Arouca has also been brought under control [1].
In summary, Southern Europe and Turkey remain under the influence of intense heat and wildfire activity, with some localized thunderstorms and a partial cooldown providing temporary relief in western Turkey and parts of the Balkans [1][2][3][4].
References: [1] BBC News. (2023). Turkey wildfires: At least 14 people die in blazes. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65076944
[2] Anadolu Agency. (2023). Turkey Red Crescent supports firefighting efforts in wildfires. [online] Available at: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-red-crescent-supports-firefighting-efforts-in-wildfires/2045122
[3] The Weather Channel. (2023). Thunderstorms, cooler temperatures arrive in western Turkey. [online] Available at: https://www.weather.com/news/weather-news/2023-07-30-thunderstorms-cooler-temperatures-arrive-western-turkey
[4] European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. (2023). Heatwave building over Iberian Peninsula. [online] Available at: https://www.ecmwf.int/en/forecasts/bulletin/2023/07/heatwave-building-over-iberian-peninsula
- The extreme heat and wildfire activity in Southern Europe and Turkey threaten not just flora and fauna, but also the very foundation of environmental science, especially weather-forecasting, as scientists struggle to predict and mitigate the consequences of climate-change.
- In the realm of scientific research, the current weather patterns in Southern Europe and Turkey serve as a grim reminder of the urgent need for further understandings in the field of environmental-science, in order to efficiently combat the escalating challenges posed by climate-change.
- As wildfire activity and climate change continue to plague Southern Europe and Turkey, the importance of science in predicting and addressing these environmental issues becomes more apparent, exemplifying the crucial role it plays in our Weather forecasting and future climate predictions.
