Corsica WILDFIRES: 'Lucifer' heatwave hindering efforts to control blaze
HOT, dry weather on the island of Corsica is hindering efforts to control forest fires which have destroyed around 5,000 hectares of land.
The blaze broke out last Wednesday and authorities warned it was spreading north as emergency teams struggled to contain it.
Now further crews have been ferried over from the French mainland to help contain them.
Emergency planes could be seen spraying water over the burning forest near the town of Calvi, in the north of the island, and roads were blocked off as trucks firefighters battled the flames.
Cars have also been incinerated.
Nobody is thought to have been hurt, but one of the island’s popular hiking routes had to be evacuated.
Plane helps to battle intense wildfires in Corsica
August is peak tourism season for the French island, and while firefighters have so far managed to stop the blaze from reaching towns near the affected area, the smoke is visible from the bay in Calvi.
Fires also wreaked havoc in Albania at the end of last week, with residental areas in the capital of Tirana thought to be at risk.
Emergency crews from neighbouring Greece and Italy were drafted in to assist local authorities.
Last Thursday, homes in Lagonissi, south of Athens in Greece, were evacuated as a brush fire swept through the surrounding area.