Overview

• Two major wind-driven wildfires near Cesme in Turkey’s Izmir province remain uncontrolled under gale-force winds and extreme heat.
• Turkey’s emergency authority AFAD reports 50,000 evacuees in Izmir and Hatay provinces, with temporary shelters established for displaced residents.
• On Crete, over 230 firefighters supported by helicopters and drones have brought the Ierapetra blaze into retreat and continue to patrol residual hotspots from three fronts.
• A fire near Rafina east of Athens was largely contained by Friday evening after prompting the evacuation of about 300 residents and temporary road and ferry closures.
• Persistent drought and a suspected electrical cable fault at the Izmir site have fueled the outbreaks, and authorities warn that continued high temperatures and strong winds will keep fire risks elevated.