Windy Conditions in Greece Fuel Wildfires

As wildfires triggered by gale-force winds in the northeastern province of Evros claimed one life on Monday, authorities in Greece said most regions faced a high threat of new flames.

64 wildfires started in Greece during the course of the preceding 24 hours, forcing the evacuation of many communities in the Evros region near to the Turkish border.

A man's body was reportedly found on Monday night in a secluded location near to the port city of Alexandroupolis in the Evros region, according to a local police official.

"The body was burned from the fire, probably was a migrant," the official added.

Many migrants from Syria and Asian countries are using the river border separating Greece from Turkey in Evros to enter the European Union.

More than 200 firefighters backed by 18 aircraft were battling a wildfire burning for the third day in the region.

"Τhe next 48 hours are extremely critical due to the extreme weather conditions," fire brigade spokesperson Ioannis Artopios said in a briefing.

Cyprus said it was sending two firefighting aircraft to help Greek fire fighters.

Summer wildfires in Greece are common but have been made worse in recent years by unusually hot, dry and windy conditions that scientists have linked to climate change.

More than 20,000 foreign tourists had to be evacuated from the holiday island of Rhodes in July as wildfires burned for a week, destroying hotels and resorts.

On Monday, firefighters in Spain also fought to contain a massive wildfire that has been ravaging Tenerife's woodlands for six days.

Two firemen in Kavala, a beach city in northern Greece, were hurt on Monday while attempting to put out a fire that was posing a danger to residences in the hamlet of Dialekto, according to the fire service.

More evacuations were mandated after a wildfire also erupted in the village of Psacha, which is close to Evia. Eight planes and more than 90 firemen were combating the fires, with help from French firefighting personnel.