{"id":2288,"date":"2026-08-03T11:37:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T11:37:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=2288"},"modified":"2026-08-03T11:37:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T11:37:10","slug":"greek-wildfires-halted-after-deadly-helicopter-crash-french-evacuees-returning-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=2288","title":{"rendered":"Greek wildfires halted after deadly helicopter crash; French evacuees returning home"},"content":{"rendered":"
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ATHENS, Greece (AP) \u2014 Water-dropping planes swooped over a major wildfire west of Athens Monday, a day after a midair collision<\/span> between two firefighting helicopters killed two crew members.<\/p>\n

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A Greek and a Danish national died and two others \u2013 all privately charted operators \u2013 were hospitalized in the collision while the firefighting effort along mountainous and coastal areas at the weekend was hindered by powerful gales. <\/p>\n

As parts of southern Europe continued to struggle with high temperatures, firefighters in France guarded against potential flare ups inside a still-burning scar four times the size of Paris<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Easing winds help halt the advance of the flames<\/h2>\n

Strong winds eased Monday, allowing the deployment of 12 water-dropping planes and 11 helicopters around the fire-hit seaside resort of Porto Germenos where multiple evacuations have been ordered.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo put it in a headline: conditions are better but we are pressing forward because there are still multiple points of activity,\u201d Fire Service spokesman Yiannis Artopios said. \u201cThis is a difficult fire that has troubled us.\u201d <\/p>\n

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Some 500 firefighters halted the fire\u2019s advance but authorities warned areas surrounding Athens remained at high risk. More than 1,000 people have been evacuated from the region, including more than 250 rescued by boats from beaches in the area. <\/p>\n

The blaze was blamed on a faulty power line from a wind farm and led to the arrests of two contractors on charges of negligent arson.<\/p>\n

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Despite improved detection methods and an expanded cooperation between European Union members, Greece and other countries along Europe\u2019s Mediterranean coast suffer devastating wildfires every summer as spells of heat wave temperatures grow longer. <\/p>\n

Europe is Earth\u2019s fastest-warming continent<\/span>, heating at more than twice the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union\u2019s Copernicus climate service. Rising temperatures and prolonged drought leave vegetation drier and more combustible, allowing fires to spread faster and burn more intensely.<\/p>\n

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Massive blaze in France contained as evacuees return home<\/h2>\n
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