Europe battles wildfires as extreme heat fuels blazes across the continent

Parts of Europe are battling widespread wildfires after weeks of intense heat and bone-dry conditions. Croatia is fighting some of its worst fires in years, with military aircraft helping hundreds of firefighters battle blazes near the coast. On the Pelješac Peninsula, residents have been forced from their homes and livelihoods destroyed. Montenegro is also facing several active wildfires, while Spain has been overwhelmed by fires for weeks. In France, firefighters are using tactical burns to slow the spread of flames by removing fuel ahead of advancing fire fronts. In England, fires have destroyed homes across parts of the Midlands, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate. An emergency alert was issued across England and Wales warning of the risk of fires. The prolonged heat is putting pressure on infrastructure across Europe, much of which was not designed to withstand temperatures increasingly fuelled by climate change. Al Jazeera’s Frances Read reports from London. #EuropeWildfires #Wildfires #ExtremeHeat #Heatwave #ClimateChange #Croatia #Spain #France #UK #AlJazeeraEnglish