Overview

• More than 50,000 residents and tourists have been evacuated from Izmir and its surroundings as crews battle uncontrolled flames driven by scorching temperatures and strong winds.
• The main wildfire on Crete has significantly retreated with no major active fronts, yet over 230 firefighters, 48 vehicles and six helicopters remain deployed to guard against flare-ups.
• A separate fire near Rafina east of Athens was contained overnight but evacuation of about 300 people, road closures and ferry disruptions continue as teams monitor hot spots.
• Turkish authorities say the Cesme blaze likely ignited when a power cable fell in a dry agricultural area, and an investigation into potential negligence is under way.
• Record heat, prolonged drought and gale-force winds have triggered an early surge of eastern Mediterranean wildfires that are severely straining fire services and threatening tourism and agriculture.