Wildfires in Europe quadruple 15-year average

It was reported that the number of forest fires in the countries of the European Union (EU) since the beginning of this year is almost four times the 15-year average for the same period.

According to data shared by the observation program Copernicus, of 1926 forest fires occurred in EU countries from the beginning of the year to July 23, CNN reported.

In contrast, the average number for the same period of the year, calculated by data from 2006 to 2021, was recorded as 520.

Thousands of hectares of land have been reduced to ash due to forest fires in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, France and Germany, as a record-breaking heat wave continues in Europe.

German officials said the fires were largely under control, with 480 firefighters continuing to battle blazes in Brandenburg in the northeast and Saxony in the east.