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Hundreds of Firefighters Tackle Wildfires in Portugal as Greece Warns of Toxic Smoke
The Apex Times

THE APEX TIMES

International/The Apex Times/Jul 5, 11:28 AM EDT

Hundreds of Firefighters Tackle Wildfires in Portugal as Greece Warns of Toxic Smoke

Portugal deployed more than 1,200 firefighters and sought help from Spain and Italy as a blaze in Vouzela area spread. In northern Greece, authorities warned residents around Thessaloniki to stay indoors due to toxic smoke from a wildfire that engulfed a recycling plant.

2 min readEditor-approved Apex article

Hundreds of firefighters battled wildfires in Portugal and Greece on Sunday as authorities warned residents about worsening conditions and coordinated cross-border assistance to limit damage and protect public health. The Portuguese fire, which began Thursday, had been burning for more than three days and had spread across an area measured at 12,000 hectares (about 120 square kilometers), according to European satellite mapping data reported by international wire services.

In Portugal’s central Vouzela area, the Civil Protection authority reported that more than 1,200 firefighters were working alongside nearly 400 vehicles and 15 aircraft. The response included continued ground efforts and aerial support as teams attempted to slow the fire’s advance, with local and national authorities tracking conditions into the weekend.

Spain and Italy sent reinforcement to Portugal. Spain dispatched 120 firefighters and 45 vehicles, according to figures cited by wire services, and additional firefighting aircraft from Italy and Spain were also deployed to support the operation. Officials have said additional assets are being brought in as the fire remains active and large-scale suppression resources are required.

On the other side of southern Europe, Greek authorities issued public guidance focused on air quality after a fast-moving blaze engulfed a recycling plant on the outskirts of Thessaloniki. The smoke plume prompted authorities to urge residents in parts of the city, the second largest in Greece, to remain indoors and keep windows and doors shut.

Authorities also issued evacuation alerts for three suburbs near the plant and for at least one facility housing people with special needs, which wire service accounts described as housing 157 people. Fire crews, including around 160 firefighters, were deployed through the night as winds fanned the flames, with water-dropping aircraft able to operate later in the morning when conditions improved.

Greek officials also said a 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of starting the fire. In the near term, emergency services continued containment efforts at both sites, while local administrations maintained monitoring and public health advisories in areas affected by smoke in and around Thessaloniki.

Why It Matters

  • Large wildfires can rapidly strain local emergency services, prompting multinational support and sustained aerial operations over multiple days.
  • Public health advisories focused on indoor protection highlight risks from smoke and potential toxic emissions, not just flames.
  • Evacuation alerts involving facilities for people with special needs can disrupt daily care arrangements and require additional logistical attention for safe transfer.
  • The use of satellite-based burn-area estimates reflects how authorities and the public track wildfire scope during ongoing response efforts.
  • Arrests tied to suspected ignition point to law enforcement involvement alongside fire suppression, affecting subsequent investigations and accountability.

Sources

Key Facts

  • More than 1,200 firefighters, nearly 400 vehicles, and 15 aircraft were deployed in Portugal’s Vouzela area to fight a wildfire that began Thursday.
  • By Sunday, the Portugal blaze had burned across about 12,000 hectares (120 square kilometers), based on European Union Copernicus satellite mapping information cited in reporting.
  • Spain sent 120 firefighters and 45 vehicles to Portugal to assist, and Italy and Spain also dispatched firefighting aircraft.
  • In Greece, authorities warned parts of Thessaloniki residents to remain indoors and shut windows and doors due to toxic smoke from a recycling plant fire.
  • Greece issued evacuation alerts for three suburbs and a facility housing 157 people with special needs.
  • A 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of starting the Greek fire, according to reporting.