Additional Coverage:
- 2 firefighting helicopters collide midair near Athens as Europe’s wildfire emergency rages (pbs.org)
Two Greek Firefighting Helicopters Collide Amid Intense Wildfires Near Athens
ATHENS, Greece – In a dramatic incident Sunday, two Greek firefighting helicopters collided midair while combating a fierce, wind-driven wildfire west of Athens. Video footage captured one helicopter spiraling to the ground following the collision.
The Greek fire department reported that all four crew members were recovered: two were conscious and safe, while the other two were found unconscious. This accident highlights the extreme dangers firefighters face on the frontlines of Europe’s escalating wildfire crisis.
Strong winds have intensified the flames spreading through western Attica, threatening residential communities and an industrial zone near Megara. These conditions have hampered aerial firefighting efforts, as gusts prevented some aircraft from collecting water from the sea. The area’s vulnerability recalls the tragic 2018 Mati wildfire, which claimed 104 lives-the deadliest wildfire in Europe this century.
Widespread Wildfires Ravage France and Spain, Prompt Mass Evacuations
Westward, France continues to battle one of its largest wildfires in history. The Gironde megafire, which has scorched approximately 420 square kilometers (162 square miles), remains contained within its perimeter but is not yet extinguished. The blaze forced the evacuation of 224,000 residents, marking one of France’s largest civilian evacuations outside wartime.
Despite containment efforts, hotspots persist, and nearly 3,000 firefighters are engaged in combating the Gironde fire along with another major blaze in Provence. Together, the wildfires in France and Spain have displaced about a third of a million people, emptying towns and vacation areas during peak summer and placing immense strain on emergency services.
Europe Faces Growing Wildfire Threat Amid Rising Temperatures
The ongoing evacuations underscore a broader and intensifying wildfire threat across Europe. Following its worst fire year on record in 2025-when over 10,000 square kilometers (3,860 square miles) burned-Europe is grappling with increasingly severe fire seasons.
The continent is warming at more than twice the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. Scientists from World Weather Attribution have confirmed that human-driven climate change has at least doubled the likelihood of the extreme fire-weather conditions fueling this year’s French wildfires.
Challenging Conditions Hamper Firefighting Efforts Near Athens
Nearly 500 firefighters and 23 aircraft have been deployed to battle the fires near Athens. However, gale-force winds have driven the flames through dry forests and severely hampered aerial firefighting operations. Some planes were unable to retrieve water from the sea due to turbulent conditions.
Authorities ordered evacuations in several communities, including Kandili, Agia Skepi, and Toutouli, with particular concern for Porto Germeno, a coastal town on the Gulf of Corinth. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has been regularly briefed on the situation.
The fires began Friday near Agios Vasileios and rapidly advanced toward Porto Germeno and the surrounding mountainous forests. Firefighters have evacuated hundreds by sea, often the only viable escape route when roads are cut off by flames and smoke.
France Battles to Keep Wildfires Contained Amid Harsh Weather
In southwestern France, the Gironde megafire remains fixed within its perimeter but continues to smolder. Officials warned that while the fire’s spread has stopped, it is far from extinguished. The region remains on the highest forest-fire alert due to dry conditions, soaring temperatures around Bordeaux, and afternoon winds that could reignite flames.
In Le Porge, approximately 150 homes have been destroyed. Residents like Matthieu Plessis mourn the loss of family homes and communities, describing the devastation as unrecognizable.
International firefighter reinforcements from Ukraine, Lithuania, and French Polynesia are expected to bolster containment efforts in the coming days.
Provence Fire Stabilized but Still Threatens Communities
In southeastern France, firefighters have stabilized the Gros Bessillon fire in the Var department after it burned through about 18 square kilometers (7 square miles). The fire remains uncontained, and 2,500 people were evacuated as a precaution.
This marks the fourth major wildfire in central Var since mid-July. A smaller blaze near Brignoles earlier in the week forced actor George Clooney and hundreds of residents to evacuate before it was brought under control.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu affirmed that while fires are generally under control, volatile conditions persist. He has appointed a national coordinator to manage recovery efforts in affected areas. So far in 2026, over 1,170 square kilometers (452 square miles) have burned across France.
Spain’s Wildfires Subside as Crews Secure Perimeters
In Spain, major wildfires that have claimed at least 13 lives and prompted a national emergency appear to have ceased advancing. Near the Portuguese border in Zamora province, firefighting teams continue to monitor the perimeter of the Fermoselle fire to prevent flare-ups.
Most evacuees have been allowed to return home. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called for a nationwide pact to address the increasing threat of wildfires, emphasizing the role of climate change in exacerbating these disasters.
As Europe faces an unprecedented wildfire season, communities and emergency responders continue to grapple with the devastating impacts of climate-driven fires across the continent.