Indonesia's southern Sumatra province is battling a huge forest fire, blanketing the entire area with haze clouds. These haze clouds have now extended to the nearby provinces and cities, degrading the air quality in the entire region.

Indonesia denies smog from forest fires drifted to Malaysia

The Albania coast is battering wildfire. Firefighters are struggling to keep the blaze in control, which, as per the state media has been going on for more than a week. According to authorities, wildfire has burned through 500 hectares of pine forest. Greece has responded by sending two firefighting planes. This summer, searing temperatures fuelled wildfires and prompted health warnings across southern Europe.

Albania struggles to control forest fire

Efforts by the Indian Air Force and the Forest Department ground staff attained fruition during the late hours of Tuesday, as a week-long forest blaze was extinguished in the Madukkarai region in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. According to the state's forest minister, the week-long blaze had claimed nearly 200 hectares of bamboo and dry grass.&nbsp;

Supriya Sahu, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment Climate Change and Forests, Govt of Tamil Nadu thanked and acknowledged the contributions of the Forest department teams, the Indian Air Force and the local villagers, anti-poaching watchers etc.&nbsp;

When efforts by ground teams comprising more than 200 personnel were not providing the desired results, the Indian Air Force was roped in to perform aerial firefighting operations, over the weekend. In multiple sorties, the Air Force's Russian-origin Mi-17 multi-role helicopter had performed 'bambi bucket operations'. This is a process where the chopper carries an underslung bucket and dunks it in a waterbody(preferably closest to the fire site) and then dispenses the water over the blaze.&nbsp;

The IAF chopper had dispensed over 22,000 litres of water and had ensured that the fire was extinguished in two major zones and finally restricted to a limited patch. On Monday and Tuesday, additional ground teams were tasked by the Forest department to carry out the efforts on the ground. Efforts were carried out during the day and night to ensure that the blaze is brought under control.&nbsp;

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Efforts by the Indian Air Force and the Forest Department ground staff attained fruition during the late hours of Tuesday, as a week-long forest blaze was extinguished in the Madukkarai region in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

Efforts by the Indian Air Force and the Forest Department ground staff attained fruition during the late hours of Tuesday, as a week-long forest blaze was extinguished in the Madukkarai region in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. According to the state's forest minister, the week-long blaze had claimed nearly 200 hectares of bamboo and dry grass. Supriya Sahu, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment Climate Change and Forests, Govt of Tamil Nadu thanked and acknowledged the contributions of the Forest department teams, the Indian Air Force and the local villagers, anti-poaching watchers etc. When efforts by ground teams comprising more than 200 personnel were not providing the desired results, the Indian Air Force was roped in to perform aerial firefighting operations, over the weekend. In multiple sorties, the Air Force's Russian-origin Mi-17 multi-role helicopter had performed 'bambi bucket operations'. This is a process where the chopper carries an underslung bucket and dunks it in a waterbody(preferably closest to the fire site) and then dispenses the water over the blaze. The IAF chopper had dispensed over 22,000 litres of water and had ensured that the fire was extinguished in two major zones and finally restricted to a limited patch. On Monday and Tuesday, additional ground teams were tasked by the Forest department to carry out the efforts on the ground. Efforts were carried out during the day and night to ensure that the blaze is brought under control. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Thanks to Air Force and forest dept, forest blaze put out after week-long efforts; 200 hectares lost

France's first major forest fire devours 1,000 hectares

The forest fire that has been raging for almost a week in the Madukkarai forest area in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, has been restricted to a limited patch as of Monday morning, said a top government official.&nbsp;

According to Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Climate Change and Forests, Govt of Tamil Nadu, the 200-member ground team carried out firefighting efforts through Sunday night and managed to restrict it to a limited patch. This comes a day after the Indian Air Force deployed its Russian-origin Mi-17 multi-role helicopter to aid the firefighting efforts.&nbsp;

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Bambi bucket ops by <a href="https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IAF_MCC</a> Mi-17 chopper dispensed over 22,000 litres of water at the forest fire site in Madukkarai <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Coimbatore?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Coimbatore</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a> 
 
As of morning, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fire?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fire</a> restricted to a limited patch, thanks to efforts of 200+forest ground staff, IAF 
 
Blaze on for almost a week <a href="https://t.co/hIMSuCe9CW">pic.twitter.com/hIMSuCe9CW</a>
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1647881694828195840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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On Sunday, an IAF chopper from the Sulur Air Force Station in Coimbatore was tasked to offer assistance to the civil administration and had undertaken 'Bambi bucket' operations.&nbsp;

As part of this, the chopper carries an underslung bucket and fills it by dunking it into a water body. The filled bucket is then carried to the site of the blaze and then emptied. This bucket is said to be capable of holding more than 3,000 litres of water and the IAF chopper dispensed more than 22,000 litres of water on Sunday.&nbsp;

IAF's efforts led to the dousing in flames in two major fire zones and additional ground teams are being deployed to relieve the teams that worked through the night.&nbsp;

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The forest fire that has been raging for almost a week in the Madukkarai forest area in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, has been restricted to a limited patch as of Monday morning, said a top government official.

The forest fire that has been raging for almost a week in the Madukkarai forest area in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, has been restricted to a limited patch as of Monday morning, said a top government official. According to Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Climate Change and Forests, Govt of Tamil Nadu, the 200-member ground team carried out firefighting efforts through Sunday night and managed to restrict it to a limited patch. This comes a day after the Indian Air Force deployed its Russian-origin Mi-17 multi-role helicopter to aid the firefighting efforts. Bambi bucket ops by @IAF_MCC Mi-17 chopper dispensed over 22,000 litres of water at the forest fire site in Madukkarai #Coimbatore #TamilNadu As of morning, #fire restricted to a limited patch, thanks to efforts of 200+forest ground staff, IAF Blaze on for almost a week pic.twitter.com/hIMSuCe9CW — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) April 17, 2023 × On Sunday, an IAF chopper from the Sulur Air Force Station in Coimbatore was tasked to offer assistance to the civil administration and had undertaken 'Bambi bucket' operations. As part of this, the chopper carries an underslung bucket and fills it by dunking it into a water body. The filled bucket is then carried to the site of the blaze and then emptied. This bucket is said to be capable of holding more than 3,000 litres of water and the IAF chopper dispensed more than 22,000 litres of water on Sunday. IAF's efforts led to the dousing in flames in two major fire zones and additional ground teams are being deployed to relieve the teams that worked through the night. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Tamil Nadu: IAF chopper, forest department get closer to dousing forest fire

After deadly wildfires in Spain. A forest fire raged in the central region of the South Korean capital Seoul, on Sunday, prompting the evacuation of at least 120 homes in the densely populated city. Erik Njoka brings you the report.

Forest fire in central Seoul forces evacuation of 120 homes

A forest fire raged in the central region of the South Korean capital Seoul, on Sunday (April 2), prompting the evacuation of at least 120 homes in the densely populated city, said officials, as per Reuters. Meanwhile, President Yoon Suk Yeol has asked relevant authorities to make all-out efforts to put out and prevent spring wildfires, said his office, as per local media reports.&nbsp;

The statement was issued following the wildfire on Sunday on Mount Inwang, near the previous location of Korea’s presidential office, and a mountain in Hongseong which is some 114 km south of the South Korean capital. The fire began on the mountain in the middle of Seoul at around 11:53 am (local time) and burned forests the size of some 30 soccer fields, said officials.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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The wildfire was nearly extinguished around 5:00 pm (local time). No casualties or injuries were reported due to the fire. Images and visuals of the incident show smoke billowing from forests on the mountain, which was reportedly seen across the city as firefighters battled to put out the fire with water-bombing aircraft.

According to local media reports, as of 2:30 pm (local time), some 580 officials and nine helicopters were deployed in Mount Inwang in a bid to extinguish the blaze. After the fire broke out shortly before noon, officials had also banned entry to the mountain while residents living nearby were evacuated.&nbsp;

A Reuters eyewitness also saw multiple helicopters flying over Han River in an apparent effort to supply water to extinguish the fire. President spokesperson Lee Do-woon, in a statement, also said that Yoon ordered the National Fire Agency and the National Forest Service to use all possible resources to extinguish the fires and called on interior and defence ministries to support the efforts, as per local media reports.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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A forest fire raged in the central region of the South Korean capital Seoul, on Sunday (April 2), prompting the evacuation of at least 120 homes in the densely populated city, said officials, as per Reuters.

A forest fire raged in the central region of the South Korean capital Seoul, on Sunday (April 2), prompting the evacuation of at least 120 homes in the densely populated city, said officials, as per Reuters. Meanwhile, President Yoon Suk Yeol has asked relevant authorities to make all-out efforts to put out and prevent spring wildfires, said his office, as per local media reports. The statement was issued following the wildfire on Sunday on Mount Inwang, near the previous location of Korea’s presidential office, and a mountain in Hongseong which is some 114 km south of the South Korean capital. The fire began on the mountain in the middle of Seoul at around 11:53 am (local time) and burned forests the size of some 30 soccer fields, said officials. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shane Park (@lucky_shane_park) × The wildfire was nearly extinguished around 5:00 pm (local time). No casualties or injuries were reported due to the fire. Images and visuals of the incident show smoke billowing from forests on the mountain, which was reportedly seen across the city as firefighters battled to put out the fire with water-bombing aircraft. According to local media reports, as of 2:30 pm (local time), some 580 officials and nine helicopters were deployed in Mount Inwang in a bid to extinguish the blaze. After the fire broke out shortly before noon, officials had also banned entry to the mountain while residents living nearby were evacuated. A Reuters eyewitness also saw multiple helicopters flying over Han River in an apparent effort to supply water to extinguish the fire. President spokesperson Lee Do-woon, in a statement, also said that Yoon ordered the National Fire Agency and the National Forest Service to use all possible resources to extinguish the fires and called on interior and defence ministries to support the efforts, as per local media reports. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

WATCH | South Korea: Over 100 homes evacuated after forest fire in central Seoul

Cuban firefighters worked to extinguish a large-scale forest fire east of the island. The blaze, which began on Feb 18, caused extensive damage to forest plantations.

Cuban firefighters combat raging forest fire I WION Shorts

Bangkok residents have been asked to work from home and wear face masks owing to the dangerous levels of air pollution in the city. Officials advised commuters to utilise&nbsp;public transportation instead of private vehicles and said that they would work to reduce sources of pollution such as&nbsp;open burning and construction projects. Authorities in Bangkok said that face masks would be distributed to those who were at risk.

The pollution was expected to worsen on Thursday (January 26), according to the governor of Bangkok, Chadchart Sittipunt, but schools did not have to be closed.

“I would like to ask people to be prepared by checking the pollution level before planning a trip. The BMA (Bangkok Metropolitan Administration)&nbsp;and pollution department will control the sources of the dust and ask for cooperation from activities that generate dust such as construction sites or truck transportation,” he said.

Transport limitations would be taken into account if the condition gets worse, he added.

Also watch |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker: Bangkok residents advised to stay indoor as air quality dips

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In Thailand, especially in the north-west region, agricultural burning and forest fires are major contributors to air pollution between the months of December and April. Bangkok, which already has poor air quality owing to its manufacturing, construction, and traffic, is worsened by the pollution from these human-induced fires.

PM2.5 levels rose to 63.2 g/m3 (micrograms per cubic metre) on Thursday&nbsp;(January 26) morning, well exceeding the WHO yearly air quality guideline of 5 g/m3. Thailand's worst-ranked regions were in Samut Songkhram, southwest of Bangkok, and Lampang, north of the capital, according to the Swiss air quality business IQAir.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/air-pollution-is-dangerous-very-dangerous-for-your-brain-can-impair-functional-connectivity-study-556180">Air pollution is very dangerous for your brain, can impair functional connectivity: Study</a>

The health ministry's permanent secretary, Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, who spoke to the Guardian, stated that the situation would be monitored by all provincial public health services, and that emergency centres would be opened in any provinces that had experienced high levels of pollution for more than three days in a row.

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Bangkok residents have been asked to work from home and wear face masks owing to the dangerous levels of air pollution in the city. Officials advised commuters to utilise public transportation instead of private vehicles and said that they would work to reduce sources of pollution such as open burning and construction projects.

Bangkok residents have been asked to work from home and wear face masks owing to the dangerous levels of air pollution in the city. Officials advised commuters to utilise public transportation instead of private vehicles and said that they would work to reduce sources of pollution such as open burning and construction projects. Authorities in Bangkok said that face masks would be distributed to those who were at risk. The pollution was expected to worsen on Thursday (January 26), according to the governor of Bangkok, Chadchart Sittipunt, but schools did not have to be closed. “I would like to ask people to be prepared by checking the pollution level before planning a trip. The BMA (Bangkok Metropolitan Administration) and pollution department will control the sources of the dust and ask for cooperation from activities that generate dust such as construction sites or truck transportation,” he said. Transport limitations would be taken into account if the condition gets worse, he added. Also watch | WION Climate Tracker: Bangkok residents advised to stay indoor as air quality dips In Thailand, especially in the north-west region, agricultural burning and forest fires are major contributors to air pollution between the months of December and April. Bangkok, which already has poor air quality owing to its manufacturing, construction, and traffic, is worsened by the pollution from these human-induced fires. PM2.5 levels rose to 63.2 g/m3 (micrograms per cubic metre) on Thursday (January 26) morning, well exceeding the WHO yearly air quality guideline of 5 g/m3. Thailand's worst-ranked regions were in Samut Songkhram, southwest of Bangkok, and Lampang, north of the capital, according to the Swiss air quality business IQAir. Also read | Air pollution is very dangerous for your brain, can impair functional connectivity: Study The health ministry's permanent secretary, Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, who spoke to the Guardian, stated that the situation would be monitored by all provincial public health services, and that emergency centres would be opened in any provinces that had experienced high levels of pollution for more than three days in a row. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Bangkok: Authorities urge residents to work from home as air pollution worsens

The number of California's forest fires has surged this year. One of them is mosquito fire, which continues to burn east of Sacramento. To ensure that such fires don't take place in the future considerable efforts are being made by authorities.

WION Climate Tracker: California authorities ramp up efforts to stop forest fire

Official statistics that delivered the most recent warning on the accelerating destruction of the largest rainforest in the world revealed this week that the number of forest fires in the Brazilian Amazon reached a nearly 15-year high.&nbsp;

According to the Brazilian space agency, INPE, 3,358 flames were discovered on Monday, August 22, the most for any 24-hour period since September 2007.&nbsp;

The number was almost three times higher than what was reported on the so-called "Day of Fire" on August 10, 2019, when farmers in the northern state of Para initiated a concerted effort to burn vast quantities of felled rainforest.

Then, flames caused a global outcry over images of one of the most important resources on Earth burning by sending thick, grey smoke 2,500 kilometres (1,500 miles) to Sao Paulo.&nbsp;

According to Alberto Setzer, director of INPE's fire surveillance programme, there is no evidence that the fires on Monday were planned. Instead, he said, they seem to follow a trend of escalating burning and deforestation.&nbsp;

According to experts, illicit farmers, ranchers, and investors destroy the land and burn trees to start fires in the Amazon.

With the arrival of drier weather in August, the Amazon fire season often begins in earnest.&nbsp;

For the forest, a crucial barrier against global warming, this year has been concerning thus far: INPE identified 5,373 fires last month, up 8% from July of last year.&nbsp;

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With 24,124 fires reported so far this month, it is on track to be the worst August under President Jair Bolsonaro, albeit that number is still significantly below the 63,764 fires reported in August 2005, the worst August on record going back to the start of records in 1998.

Agribusiness ally Bolsonaro is under fire internationally for a rise of Amazon devastation that occurred under his administration. The average annual deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has surged by 75% since he assumed office in January 2019 compared to the preceding ten years.&nbsp;

That critique is rejected by the far-right president.

(with inputs from agencies)

Official statistics that delivered the most recent warning on the accelerating destruction of the largest rainforest in the world revealed this week that the number of forest fires in the Brazilian Amazon reached a nearly 15-year high.

Official statistics that delivered the most recent warning on the accelerating destruction of the largest rainforest in the world revealed this week that the number of forest fires in the Brazilian Amazon reached a nearly 15-year high. According to the Brazilian space agency, INPE, 3,358 flames were discovered on Monday, August 22, the most for any 24-hour period since September 2007. The number was almost three times higher than what was reported on the so-called "Day of Fire" on August 10, 2019, when farmers in the northern state of Para initiated a concerted effort to burn vast quantities of felled rainforest. Then, flames caused a global outcry over images of one of the most important resources on Earth burning by sending thick, grey smoke 2,500 kilometres (1,500 miles) to Sao Paulo. According to Alberto Setzer, director of INPE's fire surveillance programme, there is no evidence that the fires on Monday were planned. Instead, he said, they seem to follow a trend of escalating burning and deforestation. According to experts, illicit farmers, ranchers, and investors destroy the land and burn trees to start fires in the Amazon. With the arrival of drier weather in August, the Amazon fire season often begins in earnest. For the forest, a crucial barrier against global warming, this year has been concerning thus far: INPE identified 5,373 fires last month, up 8% from July of last year. Also Read: Google will prominently label American medical facilities that perform abortion With 24,124 fires reported so far this month, it is on track to be the worst August under President Jair Bolsonaro, albeit that number is still significantly below the 63,764 fires reported in August 2005, the worst August on record going back to the start of records in 1998. Agribusiness ally Bolsonaro is under fire internationally for a rise of Amazon devastation that occurred under his administration. The average annual deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has surged by 75% since he assumed office in January 2019 compared to the preceding ten years. That critique is rejected by the far-right president. (with inputs from agencies)

Number of forest fires in Brazilian Amazon hit 15-year high this week, 3,358 fires detected in one day

Forest fires have continued to ravage southwest Europe. With heatwave that has shown no sign of abating, firefighters are battling to contain wildfires. In France, Greece, Portugal and Spain, raging fires have resulted in destruction of thousands of hectares of land. The fire has forced thousands of residents to flee.

It is the second heatwave to engulf parts of southwest Europe in weeks. Scientists are blaming climate change and are predicting such weather in future.

Authorities in Spain have reported around 20 wildfires still raging in different parts of the country. Several emergency personnel have lost lives fighting the flames.

In France's Gironde region, situation deteriorated even when firefighters were battlling the fire. More than 16,000 people in the country have been forces to decamp due to wildfires.&nbsp;

France's interior ministry announced it would send an extra three firefighting planes, 200 firefighters and more trucks.

Meteo France forecast temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in parts of southern France on Sunday. New heat records are expected on Monday.

"In some southwestern areas, it will be a heat apocalypse," meteorologist Francois Gourand told AFP.

France has placed 15 departments on red alert, mainly on the western seaboard.

The chapel of a historic hospital in the southeastern city of Lyon, Grand Hotel Dieu, offered refuge to tourists on Sunday including Jean-Marc, 51, who was visiting from Alsace

(With inputs from agencies)

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Forest fires have continued to ravage southwest Europe. With heatwave that has shown no sign of abating, firefighters are battling to contain wildfires. In France, Greece, Portugal and Spain, raging fires have resulted in destruction of thousands of hectares of land.

Forest fires have continued to ravage southwest Europe. With heatwave that has shown no sign of abating, firefighters are battling to contain wildfires. In France, Greece, Portugal and Spain, raging fires have resulted in destruction of thousands of hectares of land. The fire has forced thousands of residents to flee. It is the second heatwave to engulf parts of southwest Europe in weeks. Scientists are blaming climate change and are predicting such weather in future. Authorities in Spain have reported around 20 wildfires still raging in different parts of the country. Several emergency personnel have lost lives fighting the flames. In France's Gironde region, situation deteriorated even when firefighters were battlling the fire. More than 16,000 people in the country have been forces to decamp due to wildfires. France's interior ministry announced it would send an extra three firefighting planes, 200 firefighters and more trucks. Meteo France forecast temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in parts of southern France on Sunday. New heat records are expected on Monday. "In some southwestern areas, it will be a heat apocalypse," meteorologist Francois Gourand told AFP. France has placed 15 departments on red alert, mainly on the western seaboard. The chapel of a historic hospital in the southeastern city of Lyon, Grand Hotel Dieu, offered refuge to tourists on Sunday including Jean-Marc, 51, who was visiting from Alsace (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Rescue agencies on alert due to wildfires in southwest Europe

About four days after a wildfire started at the park, firefighters in California have begun to contain the blaze, which has threatened some of the oldest giant sequoia trees in the world.

Fire brigades remove burnt trees to contain Yosemite wildfire

The Peruvian authorities have said that the forest fire near the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu is finally under control after firefighters working in the area for around three days. There were concerns that the fire can be harmful to one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites, but the firefighters were able to contain it. According to official sources, the fire ended up destroying around 100 acres of land and the culture ministry believes that it was sparked by farmers who had been clearing land.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-iron-curtain-descending-between-russia-and-west-says-defence-minister-493684">New ‘iron curtain’ descending between Russia and West, says defence minister</a>

“We have already been fighting the forest fire for two days and it has not been possible to get it under control, given the area is quite inaccessible,” Roberto Abarca, director of the Cusco risk management and security office, told Reuters on Thursday.

The firefighters struggled for almost three days and late on Thursday, they confirmed that almost 90 per cent of the fire was finally under control and Machu Picchu did not suffer any damage.

“Thankfully, it has been possible to contain [the fire],” the mayor of the Machupicchu district, Darwin Baca León, told the Peruvian radio station RPP on Thursday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cant-afford-to-be-destabilised-chinas-xi-defends-one-country-two-systems-governance-in-hong-kong-493440">China's Xi defends Hong Kong's ‘one country, two system' governance</a>

Peru’s tourism industry has suffered a lot since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and while the government is trying to revive interest, the fires have created a new problem for them.

However, the culture ministry has insisted that the situation is completely under control and with Machu Picchu being unharmed, the tourist activities in the area will continue without any interruption.

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The Peruvian authorities have said that the forest fire near the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu is finally under control after firefighters working in the area for around three days.

The Peruvian authorities have said that the forest fire near the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu is finally under control after firefighters working in the area for around three days. There were concerns that the fire can be harmful to one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites, but the firefighters were able to contain it. According to official sources, the fire ended up destroying around 100 acres of land and the culture ministry believes that it was sparked by farmers who had been clearing land. Also read | New ‘iron curtain’ descending between Russia and West, says defence minister “We have already been fighting the forest fire for two days and it has not been possible to get it under control, given the area is quite inaccessible,” Roberto Abarca, director of the Cusco risk management and security office, told Reuters on Thursday. The firefighters struggled for almost three days and late on Thursday, they confirmed that almost 90 per cent of the fire was finally under control and Machu Picchu did not suffer any damage. “Thankfully, it has been possible to contain [the fire],” the mayor of the Machupicchu district, Darwin Baca León, told the Peruvian radio station RPP on Thursday. Also read | China's Xi defends Hong Kong's ‘one country, two system' governance Peru’s tourism industry has suffered a lot since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and while the government is trying to revive interest, the fires have created a new problem for them. However, the culture ministry has insisted that the situation is completely under control and with Machu Picchu being unharmed, the tourist activities in the area will continue without any interruption. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Peruvian firefighters contain forest fire near Machu Picchu after three days

The world's addiction to making videos is getting worse by the day. People are going to extremes to generate videos and gain more likes.

The recent and&nbsp;strange example comes from Pakistan, where TikTok has previously been outlawed. Humaira Asghar, a Pakistani social media sensation, has come under fire for posing in front of a burning forest for a TikTok video.

"Fire erupts wherever I go," Humaira Asghar captioned the video in which she can be seen walking in a silver ball gown in front of a flaming hillside.

After receiving reaction, Humaira stated in a statement made by her team that she did not spark the fire and that "creating videos is not harmful."

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This tiktoker from Pakistan has set fire to the forest for 15 sec video. 
 
Government should make sure that culprits are punished and the tiktoker along with the brand should be penalised. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TikTok?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TikTok</a> <a href="https://t.co/76ad77ULdJ">pic.twitter.com/76ad77ULdJ</a>
— Discover Pakistan 🇵🇰 | پاکستان (@PakistanNature) <a href="https://twitter.com/PakistanNature/status/1526492125428326406?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The video has subsequently been removed from the internet.

"This is criminal behavior!!" said one of the social media users.

"One can at least block her on social media platforms, if the authorities don't do anything," one remark under the video said, with numerous other people requesting that she be banned and punished.

The world's addiction to making videos is getting worse by the day. People are going to extremes to generate videos and gain more likes. The recent and strange example comes from Pakistan, where TikTok has previously been outlawed.

The world's addiction to making videos is getting worse by the day. People are going to extremes to generate videos and gain more likes. The recent and strange example comes from Pakistan, where TikTok has previously been outlawed. Humaira Asghar, a Pakistani social media sensation, has come under fire for posing in front of a burning forest for a TikTok video. "Fire erupts wherever I go," Humaira Asghar captioned the video in which she can be seen walking in a silver ball gown in front of a flaming hillside. After receiving reaction, Humaira stated in a statement made by her team that she did not spark the fire and that "creating videos is not harmful." This tiktoker from Pakistan has set fire to the forest for 15 sec video. Government should make sure that culprits are punished and the tiktoker along with the brand should be penalised. #Pakistan #TikTok pic.twitter.com/76ad77ULdJ — Discover Pakistan 🇵🇰 | پاکستان (@PakistanNature) May 17, 2022 × The video has subsequently been removed from the internet. "This is criminal behavior!!" said one of the social media users. "One can at least block her on social media platforms, if the authorities don't do anything," one remark under the video said, with numerous other people requesting that she be banned and punished.

'Criminal behaviour': Pakistani TikTok star faces backlash for posing by forest fire

A Pakistani social media sensation, has come under fire for posing in front of a burning forest for a TikTok video. Internet users are trolling her for the video shoot as the country is facing an extreme heatwave.

Pakistani TikTok star faces backlash for posing next to forest fire

Paraguayan emergency forces battled an inferno as a huge forest fire raged through a small town Villeta.

Fire rages through Villeta in Paraguay

Forest fire due to poor farming practices takes a toll on San Matias Reserve. Fire ravages through 2.6 million hectares of the nature reserve.

Bolivia forest degradation: Poor farming practices take a toll on San Matias Reserve

The forest fires regularly destroying the Western United States are the result of climate change caused largely by human activity, according to a study published Monday.

From 2001 to 2018, fires destroyed an average of 13,500 square kilometres (5,200 square miles) per year in the American west, double what they destroyed between 1984 and 2000.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eco-hypocrite-leaders-businessmen-arrive-in-fuel-guzzling-private-jets-at-cop26-425903" hreflang="en">'Eco-hypocrite': Leaders, businessmen arrive in fuel-guzzling private jets at COP26</a>

"It's happened so much faster than we previously anticipated," Rong Fu, who led the study published by the US National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), told the Los Angeles Times.

As a result of such a significant deterioration of weather conditions in such a short time, a team of American researchers led by Fu analyzed the "vapor pressure deficit" (VPD), which measures how dry the air is.

As an indicator of water in the atmosphere, the VPD represents the difference between the amount that is actually present in the atmosphere and the maximum amount that could exist in the atmosphere. As deficits grow, soil and plants lose more water, drying out and creating conditions that fuel fires.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cop26-climate-summit-world-leaders-pledge-to-end-deforestation-by-2030-425988">COP26 climate summit: World leaders pledge to end deforestation by 2030</a>

According to scientists, wildfires in the western United States are correlated with this deficit during the warm season. The study found that the number of high VPD days between May and September increased 94 per cent between 2001 and 2008 compared to the preceding period.

Fu and her colleagues calculated that "natural" atmospheric variations were responsible for only a 32 per cent increase in VPD. Global warming, which is largely the result of human activities, is responsible for the remaining 68 per cent of the increase in atmospheric water deficit.

"Prior to 2000, we can explain this fire weather pretty well just using weather patterns," said Fu, a climatologist at the University of California UCLA. "But now we can only explain 30 percent of what we see with fire weather."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/by-2030-climate-change-may-trigger-24-dip-in-global-corn-yields-says-study-426059">By 2030, climate change may trigger 24% dip in global corn yields, says study</a>

The study found that up to 88 per cent of anomalies in the VPD could be explained by anthropogenic or human origin warming.

According to the study, in August 2020, when California experienced the largest fire ever recorded in the region,&nbsp;the August Complex Fire, which burned nearly 4,200 square kilometres (1,600 square miles), anthropogenic warming was responsible for about half of the "unprecedented high" moisture deficit.

Climate experts claim that the planet has already warmed about 1.1 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times due to greenhouse gases generated by humans. The warming that has been caused primarily by burning fossil fuels has occurred largely in the last 50 years.

(With inputs from agencies)

The forest fires regularly destroying the Western United States are the result of climate change caused largely by human activity, according to a study published Monday.

The forest fires regularly destroying the Western United States are the result of climate change caused largely by human activity, according to a study published Monday. From 2001 to 2018, fires destroyed an average of 13,500 square kilometres (5,200 square miles) per year in the American west, double what they destroyed between 1984 and 2000. Also read | 'Eco-hypocrite': Leaders, businessmen arrive in fuel-guzzling private jets at COP26 "It's happened so much faster than we previously anticipated," Rong Fu, who led the study published by the US National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), told the Los Angeles Times. As a result of such a significant deterioration of weather conditions in such a short time, a team of American researchers led by Fu analyzed the "vapor pressure deficit" (VPD), which measures how dry the air is. As an indicator of water in the atmosphere, the VPD represents the difference between the amount that is actually present in the atmosphere and the maximum amount that could exist in the atmosphere. As deficits grow, soil and plants lose more water, drying out and creating conditions that fuel fires. Also read | COP26 climate summit: World leaders pledge to end deforestation by 2030 According to scientists, wildfires in the western United States are correlated with this deficit during the warm season. The study found that the number of high VPD days between May and September increased 94 per cent between 2001 and 2008 compared to the preceding period. Fu and her colleagues calculated that "natural" atmospheric variations were responsible for only a 32 per cent increase in VPD. Global warming, which is largely the result of human activities, is responsible for the remaining 68 per cent of the increase in atmospheric water deficit. "Prior to 2000, we can explain this fire weather pretty well just using weather patterns," said Fu, a climatologist at the University of California UCLA. "But now we can only explain 30 percent of what we see with fire weather." Also read | By 2030, climate change may trigger 24% dip in global corn yields, says study The study found that up to 88 per cent of anomalies in the VPD could be explained by anthropogenic or human origin warming. According to the study, in August 2020, when California experienced the largest fire ever recorded in the region, the August Complex Fire, which burned nearly 4,200 square kilometres (1,600 square miles), anthropogenic warming was responsible for about half of the "unprecedented high" moisture deficit. Climate experts claim that the planet has already warmed about 1.1 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times due to greenhouse gases generated by humans. The warming that has been caused primarily by burning fossil fuels has occurred largely in the last 50 years. (With inputs from agencies)

Study finds humans, climate change largely responsible for fires in US

Climate change caused overwhelmingly by human activity is the primary source of the unprecedented forest fires regularly ravaging the western United States, according to a study published Monday.

Fires destroyed an average of 13,500 square kilometres (5,200 square miles) per year in the American west between 2001 and 2018 -- twice as much as between 1984-2000.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eco-hypocrite-leaders-businessmen-arrive-in-fuel-guzzling-private-jets-at-cop26-425903" hreflang="en">'Eco-hypocrite': Leaders, businessmen arrive in fuel-guzzling private jets at COP26</a>

"It's happened so much faster than we previously anticipated," Rong Fu, who led the study published by the US National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), told the Los Angeles Times.

In order to understand what contributed to such a significant deterioration of conditions in such a short time, a team of American researchers led by Fu analyzed various factors at work in the "vapor pressure deficit" (VPD), which indicates how dry the air is.

The VPD represents the difference between the amount of water actually present in the atmosphere and the maximum that the atmosphere could hold. The greater the deficit, the more water is drawn into the air from soil and plants, drying them out and creating conditions that are increasingly conducive to fires.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cop26-climate-summit-world-leaders-pledge-to-end-deforestation-by-2030-425988">COP26 climate summit: World leaders pledge to end deforestation by 2030</a>

Scientists have determined that the increase in wildfires in the western United States is closely linked to this deficit during the warm season. Between May and September, the number of days with a high VPD increased 94 per cent between 2001 and 2008 compared to the previous period, the study said.

According to Fu and her colleagues' calculations, "natural" atmospheric variations were only responsible for an average 32 per cent increase in VPD. The remaining 68 per cent of the increase in atmospheric water deficit over the past 20 years is due to global warming, which is largely caused by human activities.

"Prior to 2000, we can explain this fire weather pretty well just using weather patterns," said Fu, a climatologist at the University of California UCLA. "But now we can only explain 30 percent of what we see with fire weather."

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/by-2030-climate-change-may-trigger-24-dip-in-global-corn-yields-says-study-426059">By 2030, climate change may trigger 24% dip in global corn yields, says study</a>

Some models show anthropogenic, or human-originated, warming could explain up to 88 per cent of the anomalies seen in the VPD, the study found.

In August 2020, when California suffered the largest fire ever recorded in the region -- the August Complex Fire, which alone burned nearly 4,200 square kilometres (1,600 square miles) &nbsp;-- so-called anthropogenic warming was responsible for about 50 per cent of the "unprecedented high" moisture deficit, the study said.

According to climate experts, due to greenhouse gases generated by human activity, primarily fossil fuel use, the planet has already warmed about 1.1 degrees Celsius since the pre-industrial era.

Most of the warming has occurred in the last 50 years.

Climate change caused overwhelmingly by human activity is the primary source of the unprecedented forest fires regularly ravaging the western United States, according to a study published Monday.

Climate change caused overwhelmingly by human activity is the primary source of the unprecedented forest fires regularly ravaging the western United States, according to a study published Monday. Fires destroyed an average of 13,500 square kilometres (5,200 square miles) per year in the American west between 2001 and 2018 -- twice as much as between 1984-2000. Also Read | 'Eco-hypocrite': Leaders, businessmen arrive in fuel-guzzling private jets at COP26 "It's happened so much faster than we previously anticipated," Rong Fu, who led the study published by the US National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), told the Los Angeles Times. In order to understand what contributed to such a significant deterioration of conditions in such a short time, a team of American researchers led by Fu analyzed various factors at work in the "vapor pressure deficit" (VPD), which indicates how dry the air is. The VPD represents the difference between the amount of water actually present in the atmosphere and the maximum that the atmosphere could hold. The greater the deficit, the more water is drawn into the air from soil and plants, drying them out and creating conditions that are increasingly conducive to fires. Also Read | COP26 climate summit: World leaders pledge to end deforestation by 2030 Scientists have determined that the increase in wildfires in the western United States is closely linked to this deficit during the warm season. Between May and September, the number of days with a high VPD increased 94 per cent between 2001 and 2008 compared to the previous period, the study said. According to Fu and her colleagues' calculations, "natural" atmospheric variations were only responsible for an average 32 per cent increase in VPD. The remaining 68 per cent of the increase in atmospheric water deficit over the past 20 years is due to global warming, which is largely caused by human activities. "Prior to 2000, we can explain this fire weather pretty well just using weather patterns," said Fu, a climatologist at the University of California UCLA. "But now we can only explain 30 percent of what we see with fire weather." Also Read | By 2030, climate change may trigger 24% dip in global corn yields, says study Some models show anthropogenic, or human-originated, warming could explain up to 88 per cent of the anomalies seen in the VPD, the study found. In August 2020, when California suffered the largest fire ever recorded in the region -- the August Complex Fire, which alone burned nearly 4,200 square kilometres (1,600 square miles) -- so-called anthropogenic warming was responsible for about 50 per cent of the "unprecedented high" moisture deficit, the study said. According to climate experts, due to greenhouse gases generated by human activity, primarily fossil fuel use, the planet has already warmed about 1.1 degrees Celsius since the pre-industrial era. Most of the warming has occurred in the last 50 years.

Climate change main cause of fires in US west: Study

Anyone says Antarctica and all we can think of is endless ice sheets and cute-looking penguins. It's hard to imagine anything else happening. Antarctica is a frozen desert with negligible vegetation and limited animal life. Can we even imagine dinosaurs roaming there amid huge wildfires raging? And even volcanic activity?

But apparently that was a thing for the frozen continent around 75 million years ago.&nbsp;

Earth went through one of the warmest periods between 66 to 100 million years ago. This meant that there was ample space for vegetation to grow. This in turn led to forest fires. And this period coincided with that which has the mighty dinosaurs ruling the global ecosystem.

Scientists have found evidence of the forest fire in Antarctica. An international team of researchers led by the Federal University of Pernambuco in Brazil found fossils that tell of these mega forest fires in distant past.

The researchers travelled to Antarctica's James Ross Island (2015-16) where they found fossils that had charcoal-like residue which hinted at forest-fires.

A theory that Antarctica was frequented with forest fires has already been put forward six years ago. The discovery of fossils with charcoal residue was a piece of evidence for this theory.

What triggered the wildfires?

Scientists have given another surprising reason for this. They think that volcanic activity (on Antarctica!) may have led to these frequent forest fires among other factors.

Earth is one freaky planet indeed!

Anyone says Antarctica and all we can think of is endless ice sheets and cute-looking penguins. It's hard to imagine anything else happening. Antarctica is a frozen desert with negligible vegetation and limited animal life.

Anyone says Antarctica and all we can think of is endless ice sheets and cute-looking penguins. It's hard to imagine anything else happening. Antarctica is a frozen desert with negligible vegetation and limited animal life. Can we even imagine dinosaurs roaming there amid huge wildfires raging? And even volcanic activity? But apparently that was a thing for the frozen continent around 75 million years ago. Earth went through one of the warmest periods between 66 to 100 million years ago. This meant that there was ample space for vegetation to grow. This in turn led to forest fires. And this period coincided with that which has the mighty dinosaurs ruling the global ecosystem. Scientists have found evidence of the forest fire in Antarctica. An international team of researchers led by the Federal University of Pernambuco in Brazil found fossils that tell of these mega forest fires in distant past. The researchers travelled to Antarctica's James Ross Island (2015-16) where they found fossils that had charcoal-like residue which hinted at forest-fires. A theory that Antarctica was frequented with forest fires has already been put forward six years ago. The discovery of fossils with charcoal residue was a piece of evidence for this theory. What triggered the wildfires? Scientists have given another surprising reason for this. They think that volcanic activity (on Antarctica!) may have led to these frequent forest fires among other factors. Earth is one freaky planet indeed!

Antarctica burned with forest fires when dinosaurs roamed Earth, says study

A water dropping plane of Russia has crashed in Turkey during a firefighting mission. The plane was carrying eight people, who have all been declared dead now.

The Be-200 plane was deployed for a fire fighting mission. It went down in Turkey around 1:30 pm GMT near the southern city of Adana.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-natural-disasters-in-russia-are-unprecedented-405400">Putin says natural disasters in Russia are "unprecedented"</a>

There were five Russian servicemen and three Turkish citizens on board, all of whom died in the crash, the authorities reported.

The Russian firefighters were helping fight wildfires in Turkey. The plane was sent to turkey after Russia had in July committed to sending be-200 planes under the firefighting mission.

While local authorities rushed to the scene of the accident, they were unable to save everyone aboard the water-bomber plane.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/several-areas-in-japan-issue-evacuation-alert-after-floods-and-landslides-405378" hreflang="en">Several areas in Japan issue evacuation alert after floods and landslides</a>

The wildfires this year have shocked the authorities as even one of the coldest regions, the city of Yakutsk, has recorded temperatures surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised an alert on the "unprecedented"&nbsp;incidents.&nbsp;"In the south (of Russia), the monthly norm of rainfall now falls in a few hours and in the Far East on the contrary, forest fires in drought conditions are spreading rapidly," Putin said.

A water dropping plane of Russia has crashed in Turkey during a firefighting mission. The plane was carrying eight people, who have all been declared dead now. The Be-200 plane was deployed for a fire fighting mission.

A water dropping plane of Russia has crashed in Turkey during a firefighting mission. The plane was carrying eight people, who have all been declared dead now. The Be-200 plane was deployed for a fire fighting mission. It went down in Turkey around 1:30 pm GMT near the southern city of Adana. Also read | Putin says natural disasters in Russia are "unprecedented" There were five Russian servicemen and three Turkish citizens on board, all of whom died in the crash, the authorities reported. The Russian firefighters were helping fight wildfires in Turkey. The plane was sent to turkey after Russia had in July committed to sending be-200 planes under the firefighting mission. While local authorities rushed to the scene of the accident, they were unable to save everyone aboard the water-bomber plane. Also read | Several areas in Japan issue evacuation alert after floods and landslides The wildfires this year have shocked the authorities as even one of the coldest regions, the city of Yakutsk, has recorded temperatures surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised an alert on the "unprecedented" incidents. "In the south (of Russia), the monthly norm of rainfall now falls in a few hours and in the Far East on the contrary, forest fires in drought conditions are spreading rapidly," Putin said.

Russia's water bomber plane crashes in Turkey; 8 declared dead

Sixth day of Greek fires: Blaze ravages Evia island 'like a horror movie'

Hundreds of firefighters fought wildfires and flare-ups that have devoured record numbers of woodlands in Greece Saturday and left hundreds of families homeless, but heavy rains brought some respite to hard-hit Turkey.

More than 1,450 Greek firefighters backed by at least 15 aircraft were battling the fires, with reinforcements arriving from other countries, the fire service said.

The blazes in Greece are set to continue, with strong winds and temperatures of up to 38 degrees C (100 F) forecast in some regions on Saturday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dozen-homes-destroyed-five-hospitalised-in-greece-forest-fire-402086">Dozen homes destroyed, five hospitalised in Greece forest fire</a>

This year's fires have been far more destructive than in previous years.

In the last 10 days, 56,655 hectares (140,000 acres) have been burnt in Greece,&nbsp;according to the European Forest Fire Information System. The average number of hectares burnt over the same period between 2008 and 2020 was 1,700 hectares.

"When this nightmarish summer ends we will reverse the damage as soon as possible," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis pledged on Saturday.

Rains help Turkey&nbsp;

Greece and Turkey have been fighting devastating fires for more than a week as the region suffers its worst heatwave in decades. Officials and experts have linked such intense weather events to climate change.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greek-firefighters-battle-to-extinguish-forest-blaze-402198">Greek firefighters battle to extinguish forest blaze</a>

So far, they have killed two people in Greece and eight in Turkey, with dozens more hospitalised there during 10 days of the blazes.

A UN draft report seen by AFP labelled the Mediterranean region a "climate change hotspot", warning that heatwaves, droughts and fires would become more fierce in the future, supercharged by rising temperatures.

<img alt="Greece fire" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="42c9e723-f46d-42cf-b41d-3e69a94e57f2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202021-08-07T220245.426.jpg" />

But the weather gave Turkey some respite Saturday. Officials in the Turkish coastal city of Antalya said the blazes were under control in the southwestern province after rainfall there.

And heavy rainfall was expected to continue until the afternoon in areas including Manavgat, one of the most affected by the fires.

The situation remained serious however around the tourist hotspot of Mugla, where at least three neighbourhoods have been ordered to evacuate.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-and-greece-reel-from-raging-wildfires-during-heatwave-403133">Turkey and Greece reel from raging wildfires during heatwave</a>

There have been over 200 fires in 47 of Turkey's 81 provinces, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli tweeted early on Saturday. Thirteen fires continue in five provinces.

Fears of more high winds&nbsp;

Greek Civil Protection deputy minister, Nikos Hardalias said on Saturday that 55 blazes were raging across Greece.

They were burning on Evia, the country's second-largest island, which lies&nbsp;east of the capital; in the Peloponnese region in the southwest; and Fthiotida in Central Greece.

The fire front on Evia alone ran across 30 kilometres (18 miles) long, said Fanis Spanos, the regional governor of Central Greece, but in the Attica peninsula there the situation was "more stable".

There is, however, concern as winds are expected to pick up the pace later in the day, the Fire Brigade said.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-evacuated-as-wildfire-reaches-turkeys-thermal-power-plant-402978">Hundreds evacuated as wildfire reaches Turkey's thermal power plant</a>

Part of a motorway linking Athens to the north of the country that had been shut down as a precaution was reopened Saturday.

In the northern Evia, where more than 1,300 people fled the fires on ferry boats Friday from the coastal village of Limni, another 23 were evacuated Saturday morning from a nearby beach at Rovies.&nbsp;

Navy warships are on high alert off the north of the island in case more evacuations are required.

Local officials, there have already called for more air support in the firefighting efforts warning for hundreds of homeless families.

Fanis Spanos told the Athens News Agency (ANA) that more than 300 families whose homes had been burned down were being sheltered in hotels.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-new-fire-breaks-out-in-thermal-power-plant-402921">Turkey: New fire breaks out in thermal power plant</a>

The situation remained dire in Mani, in the Peloponnese, where 5,000 people were evacuated on Friday.&nbsp;

Eleni Drakoulakou, the mayor of East Mani, told ERT TV on Saturday that half the town had been burnt, blaming a lack of water-dropping air support during the critical first hours of the wildfire.&nbsp;

ANA also reported that two people had been charged for arson.

In Athens, police arrested a woman in a park on Friday as she was carrying two lighters, petrol and flammable materials,&nbsp;a few minutes after a fire broke out there.

Authorities have banned visits to parks and forests through Greece.

A 43-year-old man was arrested in the area of Krioneri and charged with arson, according to ANA.

Hundreds of firefighters fought wildfires and flare-ups that have devoured record numbers of woodlands in Greece Saturday and left hundreds of families homeless, but heavy rains brought some respite to hard-hit Turkey.

Hundreds of firefighters fought wildfires and flare-ups that have devoured record numbers of woodlands in Greece Saturday and left hundreds of families homeless, but heavy rains brought some respite to hard-hit Turkey. More than 1,450 Greek firefighters backed by at least 15 aircraft were battling the fires, with reinforcements arriving from other countries, the fire service said. The blazes in Greece are set to continue, with strong winds and temperatures of up to 38 degrees C (100 F) forecast in some regions on Saturday. Also read | Dozen homes destroyed, five hospitalised in Greece forest fire This year's fires have been far more destructive than in previous years. In the last 10 days, 56,655 hectares (140,000 acres) have been burnt in Greece, according to the European Forest Fire Information System. The average number of hectares burnt over the same period between 2008 and 2020 was 1,700 hectares. "When this nightmarish summer ends we will reverse the damage as soon as possible," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis pledged on Saturday. Rains help Turkey Greece and Turkey have been fighting devastating fires for more than a week as the region suffers its worst heatwave in decades. Officials and experts have linked such intense weather events to climate change. Also read | Greek firefighters battle to extinguish forest blaze So far, they have killed two people in Greece and eight in Turkey, with dozens more hospitalised there during 10 days of the blazes. A UN draft report seen by AFP labelled the Mediterranean region a "climate change hotspot", warning that heatwaves, droughts and fires would become more fierce in the future, supercharged by rising temperatures. But the weather gave Turkey some respite Saturday. Officials in the Turkish coastal city of Antalya said the blazes were under control in the southwestern province after rainfall there. And heavy rainfall was expected to continue until the afternoon in areas including Manavgat, one of the most affected by the fires. The situation remained serious however around the tourist hotspot of Mugla, where at least three neighbourhoods have been ordered to evacuate. Also read | Turkey and Greece reel from raging wildfires during heatwave There have been over 200 fires in 47 of Turkey's 81 provinces, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli tweeted early on Saturday. Thirteen fires continue in five provinces. Fears of more high winds Greek Civil Protection deputy minister, Nikos Hardalias said on Saturday that 55 blazes were raging across Greece. They were burning on Evia, the country's second-largest island, which lies east of the capital; in the Peloponnese region in the southwest; and Fthiotida in Central Greece. The fire front on Evia alone ran across 30 kilometres (18 miles) long, said Fanis Spanos, the regional governor of Central Greece, but in the Attica peninsula there the situation was "more stable". There is, however, concern as winds are expected to pick up the pace later in the day, the Fire Brigade said. Also read | Hundreds evacuated as wildfire reaches Turkey's thermal power plant Part of a motorway linking Athens to the north of the country that had been shut down as a precaution was reopened Saturday. In the northern Evia, where more than 1,300 people fled the fires on ferry boats Friday from the coastal village of Limni, another 23 were evacuated Saturday morning from a nearby beach at Rovies. Navy warships are on high alert off the north of the island in case more evacuations are required. Local officials, there have already called for more air support in the firefighting efforts warning for hundreds of homeless families. Fanis Spanos told the Athens News Agency (ANA) that more than 300 families whose homes had been burned down were being sheltered in hotels. Also read | Turkey: New fire breaks out in thermal power plant The situation remained dire in Mani, in the Peloponnese, where 5,000 people were evacuated on Friday. Eleni Drakoulakou, the mayor of East Mani, told ERT TV on Saturday that half the town had been burnt, blaming a lack of water-dropping air support during the critical first hours of the wildfire. ANA also reported that two people had been charged for arson. In Athens, police arrested a woman in a park on Friday as she was carrying two lighters, petrol and flammable materials, a few minutes after a fire broke out there. Authorities have banned visits to parks and forests through Greece. A 43-year-old man was arrested in the area of Krioneri and charged with arson, according to ANA.

Hundreds of families homeless as Greek fires rage, Turkey saved by the rain

The Cyprus Forestry Department said Monday that a deadly wildfire, the island's worst in decades, was now "under full control".

The blaze, fanned by strong winds, broke out Saturday and swept through parts of the Troodos mountain range, leaving four Egyptian labourers dead, before being reined in by water bombing by Greek and Israeli aircraft.

"The fire that broke out on Saturday... came under full control today Monday, July 5, 2021 at 08:00 am (0500 GMT)," the department said in a statement.

It added that firefighters were still deployed en masse around the village of Arakapas to tackle any potential further outbreaks.

The fire, described as the worst since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960, destroyed 50 homes, damaged power lines and forced the evacuation of 10 villages.

It burned an area of about 55 square kilometres covered with forest vegetation and crops.

Four Egyptian labourers died trying to escape the village of Odos.

AFP reporters saw thick gnarled trunks of ancient olive trees reduced to smouldering stumps and grey ash replacing yellowed scrub as far as the eye could see, as well as several burned out homes in Ora village.

A 67-year-old farmer was arrested and remanded in custody on suspicion of causing the blaze, a charge he denied.

Police said an eyewitness had seen him leaving Arakapas in his car at the same time the fire started there. He could face charges of recklessly causing four deaths.

More than 600 people from the emergency services and the army were involved in tackling the blaze, with a dozen aircraft and 70 fire trucks as well as a reconnaissance drone, the Forestry Department said.

Aircraft from Israel, Greece and the British bases on Cyprus were also deployed to help.

The Cyprus Forestry Department said Monday that a deadly wildfire, the island's worst in decades, was now "under full control". The blaze, fanned by strong winds, broke out Saturday and swept through parts of the Troodos mountain range, leaving four Egyptian labourers dead, before being reined in by water bombing by Greek and Israeli aircraft.

The Cyprus Forestry Department said Monday that a deadly wildfire, the island's worst in decades, was now "under full control". The blaze, fanned by strong winds, broke out Saturday and swept through parts of the Troodos mountain range, leaving four Egyptian labourers dead, before being reined in by water bombing by Greek and Israeli aircraft. "The fire that broke out on Saturday... came under full control today Monday, July 5, 2021 at 08:00 am (0500 GMT)," the department said in a statement. It added that firefighters were still deployed en masse around the village of Arakapas to tackle any potential further outbreaks. The fire, described as the worst since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960, destroyed 50 homes, damaged power lines and forced the evacuation of 10 villages. It burned an area of about 55 square kilometres covered with forest vegetation and crops. Four Egyptian labourers died trying to escape the village of Odos. AFP reporters saw thick gnarled trunks of ancient olive trees reduced to smouldering stumps and grey ash replacing yellowed scrub as far as the eye could see, as well as several burned out homes in Ora village. A 67-year-old farmer was arrested and remanded in custody on suspicion of causing the blaze, a charge he denied. Police said an eyewitness had seen him leaving Arakapas in his car at the same time the fire started there. He could face charges of recklessly causing four deaths. More than 600 people from the emergency services and the army were involved in tackling the blaze, with a dozen aircraft and 70 fire trucks as well as a reconnaissance drone, the Forestry Department said. Aircraft from Israel, Greece and the British bases on Cyprus were also deployed to help.

Cyprus says huge forest fire 'under full control' 

<div>As a result of strong winds and high temperatures, the Cyprus wildfire is spreading rapidly, forcing the evacuation of several villages. Cyprus on Saturday requested emergency assistance of European and Israeli planes, to help fight the blaze.</div>

Calling it a "very difficult day", the Cyprus president Nicos Anastasiades, in a statement, expressed his gratitude to the Greeks and the Israelis for responding positively to the appeal.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-dead-in-cyprus-worst-forest-fire-in-decades-395745">Four dead in Cyprus' worst forest fire in decades</a>

The European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, announced on Twitter a mobilization of aerial firefighting assets, including planes from Italy and Greece.

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<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
After a huge fire broke out in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cyprus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cyprus</a> Limassol district, our Emergency and Response Coordination Centre invited <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Greece?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Greece</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Italy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Italy</a> to mobilise the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rescEU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#rescEU</a> aerial firefighting capacity. 
 
🇬🇷 plane will arrive still tonight. 
 
We remain in close contact with 🇨🇾 authorities. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUCivPro?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EUCivPro</a> <a href="https://t.co/dCSqPZIpLO">https://t.co/dCSqPZIpLO</a>
— Janez Lenarčič (@JanezLenarcic) <a href="https://twitter.com/JanezLenarcic/status/1411379958916730885?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's office also confirmed that they were sending "two firefighting planes", which are slated for arrival on Sunday.

There is no immediate report of casualties in the fire that started in Limassol's southern district of Arakapa. However, property damage has been reported.&nbsp;

Some villages in Larnaca were also evacuated as a precautionary measure, to prevent damage as temperatures in Cyprus have risen to 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) during a week-long heatwave.

Nikos Christodoulides, Cyprus' foreign minister, while talking to the official CNA news agency said that the island nation had requested assistance.

The minister said that four aircrafts had been requested to combat the blaze.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/pics-cyprus-faces-worst-forest-fires-in-decades-395784">Pics | Cyprus faces worst forest fires in decades</a>

Off-duty personnel have also been called in to help with firefighting efforts as the fire seems to be raging on several fronts.

Costas Kadis, Agriculture Minister, said the situation is challenging which is why the government had to request assistance.

Assisted by British troops, and equipment already on the Mediterranean island, more than twenty firefighting vehicles, six helicopters and four planes have already been deployed to fight the flames.

The situation is so dire that dense smoke is visible from 40 kilometres (25 miles) away, residents of Larnaca, the southern resort town south of Limassol have reported seeing the sun turning a "blood orange" colour.

As a result of strong winds and high temperatures, the Cyprus wildfire is spreading rapidly, forcing the evacuation of several villages. Cyprus on Saturday requested emergency assistance of European and Israeli planes, to help fight the blaze.

As a result of strong winds and high temperatures, the Cyprus wildfire is spreading rapidly, forcing the evacuation of several villages. Cyprus on Saturday requested emergency assistance of European and Israeli planes, to help fight the blaze. Calling it a "very difficult day", the Cyprus president Nicos Anastasiades, in a statement, expressed his gratitude to the Greeks and the Israelis for responding positively to the appeal. Also read | Four dead in Cyprus' worst forest fire in decades The European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, announced on Twitter a mobilization of aerial firefighting assets, including planes from Italy and Greece. After a huge fire broke out in #Cyprus Limassol district, our Emergency and Response Coordination Centre invited #Greece & #Italy to mobilise the #rescEU aerial firefighting capacity. 🇬🇷 plane will arrive still tonight. We remain in close contact with 🇨🇾 authorities. #EUCivPro https://t.co/dCSqPZIpLO — Janez Lenarčič (@JanezLenarcic) July 3, 2021 × Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's office also confirmed that they were sending "two firefighting planes", which are slated for arrival on Sunday. There is no immediate report of casualties in the fire that started in Limassol's southern district of Arakapa. However, property damage has been reported. Some villages in Larnaca were also evacuated as a precautionary measure, to prevent damage as temperatures in Cyprus have risen to 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) during a week-long heatwave. Nikos Christodoulides, Cyprus' foreign minister, while talking to the official CNA news agency said that the island nation had requested assistance. The minister said that four aircrafts had been requested to combat the blaze. Also read | Pics | Cyprus faces worst forest fires in decades Off-duty personnel have also been called in to help with firefighting efforts as the fire seems to be raging on several fronts. Costas Kadis, Agriculture Minister, said the situation is challenging which is why the government had to request assistance. Assisted by British troops, and equipment already on the Mediterranean island, more than twenty firefighting vehicles, six helicopters and four planes have already been deployed to fight the flames. The situation is so dire that dense smoke is visible from 40 kilometres (25 miles) away, residents of Larnaca, the southern resort town south of Limassol have reported seeing the sun turning a "blood orange" colour.

Cyprus seeks international assistance to combat 'worst forest fire' in decades

A huge forest blaze in Cyprus has killed four people, destroyed homes and forced evacuations of villages as Greece, Israel and other countries deployed fire-fighting aircraft to the Mediterranean island.

The fire began Saturday afternoon and has swept through districts in the southern foothills of the Troodos mountains as the country grapples with a blistering heatwave.

"It is a tragedy," President Nicos Anastasiades said on Twitter, describing it as "the largest fire since 1974" when the island was divided after Turkey occupied its northern third.&nbsp;

The blaze had caused "loss of life" and destroyed property and forest lands, Anastasiades said, adding that&nbsp;"the government will provide immediate assistance to the victims and the families of the victims.

"We will not leave anyone abandoned in the destruction of the fire."

Interior Minister Nicos Nouris said that four charred bodies were found outside the village of Odos in the Larnaca district. &nbsp;

"Forensic examiners are going to the scene for identification," he told reporters on Sunday.&nbsp;

"All the indications support the fact that these are the four missing persons we have been searching for since yesterday," he said, adding that all four of the dead are thought to be of Egyptian nationality.

The daily Phileleftheros newspaper said the four bodies were found about 400 metres (yards) from their burnt-out vehicle.

Janez Lenarcic, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, said on Saturday its "aerial firefighting capacity" had been mobilised, with Italy and Greece sending planes to help.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said "two firefighting planes" would be sent. They were expected to arrive on Sunday.

Local media reported that a 67-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion he started the blaze.

A huge forest blaze in Cyprus has killed four people, destroyed homes and forced evacuations of villages as Greece, Israel and other countries deployed fire-fighting aircraft to the Mediterranean island.

A huge forest blaze in Cyprus has killed four people, destroyed homes and forced evacuations of villages as Greece, Israel and other countries deployed fire-fighting aircraft to the Mediterranean island. The fire began Saturday afternoon and has swept through districts in the southern foothills of the Troodos mountains as the country grapples with a blistering heatwave. "It is a tragedy," President Nicos Anastasiades said on Twitter, describing it as "the largest fire since 1974" when the island was divided after Turkey occupied its northern third. The blaze had caused "loss of life" and destroyed property and forest lands, Anastasiades said, adding that "the government will provide immediate assistance to the victims and the families of the victims. "We will not leave anyone abandoned in the destruction of the fire." Interior Minister Nicos Nouris said that four charred bodies were found outside the village of Odos in the Larnaca district. "Forensic examiners are going to the scene for identification," he told reporters on Sunday. "All the indications support the fact that these are the four missing persons we have been searching for since yesterday," he said, adding that all four of the dead are thought to be of Egyptian nationality. The daily Phileleftheros newspaper said the four bodies were found about 400 metres (yards) from their burnt-out vehicle. Janez Lenarcic, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, said on Saturday its "aerial firefighting capacity" had been mobilised, with Italy and Greece sending planes to help. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said "two firefighting planes" would be sent. They were expected to arrive on Sunday. Local media reported that a 67-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion he started the blaze.

Four dead in Cyprus' worst forest fire in decades

Pics | Cyprus faces worst forest fires in decades

'Ecological disaster' feared as Greece battles forest fire

Experts have warned that two wildfires currently raging in the US state of Colorado could merge resulting in one massive blaze.

As firefighters continued to battle the East Troublesome Fire, which erupted on October 14 and has scorched over 170,000 acres since, authorities on Thursday closed the Rocky Mountain National Park, while mandatory evacuations were issued for parts of Estes Park, CNN reported.

As of Thursday night, the blaze, located near Grimes Peak in the Arapaho National Forest, was only 5 per cent contained.

According to the experts, the East Troublesome Fire could now merge with the Cameron Peak Fire, Colorado`s largest wildfire on record, which is about 55 per cent contained.

Meanwhile, other wildfires currently raging in the state includes the Calwood Fire, which has increased to more than 9,900 acres and was 24 per cent contained.

The fire has destroyed at least 26 private residences near the town of Jamestown.

There are currently 61 wildfires raging across the country that have scorched nearly 4 million acres, CNN quoted the National Interagency Fire Center as saying.

At least 17 of those fires are burning in California, 10 in Idaho and five in Colorado.

Other states that have large active blazes include Arizona, Montana, Oregon, Washington state and Wyoming.

Experts have warned that two wildfires currently raging in the US state of Colorado could merge resulting in one massive blaze. As firefighters continued to battle the East Troublesome Fire, which erupted on October 14 and has scorched over 170,000 acres since, authorities on Thursday closed the Rocky Mountain National Park, while mandatory evacuations were issued for parts of Estes Park, CNN reported.

Experts have warned that two wildfires currently raging in the US state of Colorado could merge resulting in one massive blaze. As firefighters continued to battle the East Troublesome Fire, which erupted on October 14 and has scorched over 170,000 acres since, authorities on Thursday closed the Rocky Mountain National Park, while mandatory evacuations were issued for parts of Estes Park, CNN reported. As of Thursday night, the blaze, located near Grimes Peak in the Arapaho National Forest, was only 5 per cent contained. According to the experts, the East Troublesome Fire could now merge with the Cameron Peak Fire, Colorado`s largest wildfire on record, which is about 55 per cent contained. Meanwhile, other wildfires currently raging in the state includes the Calwood Fire, which has increased to more than 9,900 acres and was 24 per cent contained. The fire has destroyed at least 26 private residences near the town of Jamestown. There are currently 61 wildfires raging across the country that have scorched nearly 4 million acres, CNN quoted the National Interagency Fire Center as saying. At least 17 of those fires are burning in California, 10 in Idaho and five in Colorado. Other states that have large active blazes include Arizona, Montana, Oregon, Washington state and Wyoming.

Two wildfires in Colorado could merge, warns experts

Wildfires have always been a part of life on the West Coast, in particular, where urban areas and forests closely abut each other and the climate inland is arid.

According to experts Climate Change is responsible for wildfires in US; Know the Science behind it

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