NewsWorld newsGreece wildfiresHeatwaves across have contributed to tinderbox conditions and weather forecasters have predicted winds of up to 100km/h on Friday - wildfires could spread quickly01:23, 14 Aug 2026Updated 01:46, 14 Aug 2026Tourists have fled resorts and been evacuated by small boats as wildfires ravaged a region of northern Greece.‌Hundreds of tourists were evacuated from beaches in the area, while water-bombing planes, helicopters and firefighters battled to stop the blaze on Thursday, August 13.‌Heatwaves across Europe this summer have contributed to tinderbox conditions in Spain, France and Greece. Unprecedented amounts of land have been scorched.‌In the northern Greek region of Halkidiki, the area's dense pine forests helped the raging fire. Authorities banned the public from entering the region's pine forests.Homes and popular resorts were destroyed within hours of the fire breaking out and the country's civil protection agency sent evacuation warnings by phone to people in the two resorts.‌As the blaze approached from inland, flames charred holiday apartments and their sea-facing balconies.Fire service officials and ERT public television said more than 480 tourists in bathing costumes were evacuated by sea in small boats and coast guard and fire brigade vessels.‌People wearing face masks, some holding children or pets, boarded dinghies and boats in the seaside town.A fire service spokesman said the evacuation had to be by sea as the flames were getting close to the beaches.Some were moved to nearby beaches, while about 200 tourists were taken to a ship waiting at sea.Article continues belowA three-kilometer-long wall of flames up to 30 meters high was closing in on the resorts, according to reports.Weather forecasters have predicted winds of up to 100km/h on Friday, posing the threat that wildfires could quickly spread.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌WildfiresGreece wildfiresHeatwave