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Wildfires fueled by extreme heat kill firefighters and force mass evacuations
In Sicily, authorities said about 50 fires were still burning, with conditions driven by very high temperatures and very dry soil.
Wildfires raging across Sicily, southwestern France and central Spain have killed three firefighters and triggered thousands of evacuations, Agence France-Presse reported, citing regional and civil protection officials.
Temperatures topped 40 degrees Celsius, and hot, gusty winds fanned the flames in southern Italy, where wildfires have been burning for several days. In Sicily, Renato Schifani said around 6,000 firefighters, forest guards and civil protection officials were deployed, supported by water-bombing aircraft, and that 50 fires were still raging.
Scientists cited by SCMP Economy said human-driven climate change is making extreme heat and wildfire conditions more likely and more severe. Italy's interior minister Matteo Piantedosi said a firefighter died after falling ill while battling the blaze, and the Italian Civil Protection Agency described the situation in Sicily as serious, driven by very high temperatures and very dry soil.