Thousands Evacuated from Greek Island as Wildfires Spread

Summary:

• Thousands evacuated as wildfires worsen on Greek island of Rhodes.
• Tourists forced to flee resorts as fires engulf parts of the island.
• Firefighters battle blazes in difficult conditions; expect situation to worsen.
• Forecasters warn of record-breaking heatwave and prolonged fire threat.
• Experts link the severity of wildfires to climate change.

Firefighters on the Greek island of Rhodes say they expect wildfires to get worse today as temperatures rise. Thousands of people have been evacuated from homes and hotels on the island. Three hotels have reportedly burnt down and many others are in the danger zone. Private boats have joined the Greek coast guard, picking people up from beaches on the east of the island. The fires have been burning for five days now. The country's deputy fire chief says the blazes in Rhodes are the most difficult Greece is facing.

Tourists have fled their resorts as fires engulfed parts of Rhodes. Thousands were evacuated by land and by sea as buildings were consumed by flames in the south. Some hotels burnt down altogether, and yet a number of tourists decided to shelter in place. Rhodes' abundance of trees makes it a popular destination for tourists; however, that is exactly what makes wildfires so likely and just so difficult for firefighters to respond to. Forecasters say this could become the hottest July in 50 years, and these extreme weather conditions mean the threat of wildfires is not over. Firefighters are on high alert. They are expecting the situation to worsen due to rising temperatures, humidity, and winds. The fire service believes this could continue for a few days as Greece is about to be hit by another heatwave, potentially lasting up to 17 days.

The experts attribute the severity and frequency of these wildfires to climate change, as the extreme weather becomes more common. Locals on Rhodes have expressed that the current situation is abnormal, with temperatures reaching unprecedented levels. Authorities continue to work tirelessly to combat the fires, but the battle remains challenging due to the island's unique greenery and popular tourist appeal.