Wildfires rage in Greece and Corsica

Wildfires are threatening homes south of Athens and a famed hikers’ route in Corsica as high winds and unusually hot weather hit many areas of Europe.

After ravaging northern Corsica, wildfires raged yesterday in the southern half of the French Mediterranean island, prompting some evacuations north of the regional capital of Ajaccio and on slopes of the hikers’ route known as the GR20.

Planes and helicopters were involved in firefighting efforts around Palneca, a stop on the GR20 route where a blaze broke out on Wednesday, according to the regional authority for southern Corsica.

The efforts were complicated by the rocky terrain.

Another fire in nearby Appietto broke out on Wednesday but fire fighters brought it under control.

Authorities put out warnings about soaring temperatures expected in Corsica and the southern French mainland, a crucial ingredient for wildfires.

In Greece, three firefighters were taken to hospital with burns.