Wildfires around the world: In pictures

Published Aug 10, 2021 · Updated Sep 10, 2024

Flames rise as a wildfire burns near the village of Monokaria, on the island of Evia, Greece, August 7, 2021. REUTERS/Nicolas Economou - RC2H0P932H6B

Wildfires have raged in recent weeks in countries including Greece, Turkey and the United States. Image: REUTERS/Nicolas Economou

Joe Myers

Writer, Forum Stories

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Recent weeks have seen serious wildfires hit numerous countries around the world.
A new IPCC Climate Report warns that extreme weather events are likely to be more frequent as a result of climate change.
From Greece to California, firefighters have been tackling the flames.

Wildfires have never seemed far from the news in recent weeks, leaving devastation to people, homes, businesses, history and wildlife in their wake.

Fires have raged in Turkey, Greece, Italy and Spain this summer, with at least eight lives lost, hundreds evacuated and untold damage to lives and livelihoods.

A firefighting airplane makes a water drop as a wildfire burns near the village of Ellinika, on the island of Evia, Greece, August 8, 2021. REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2Y0P9SDX7H

Firefighting planes have been tackling the fires on the island of Evia, Greece. Image: REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis

A volunteer tries to extinguish a wildfire near Ikizce, a village in Mugla province, Turkey, August 6, 2021. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC2SZO91CNFB

Volunteers have been taking on the fires in Turkey, seen here in Mugla province. Image: REUTERS/Umit Bektas

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A large wildfire broke out in Sardinia in July. Image: Vigili del Fuoco/Handout via REUTERS

A church is seen among burnt trees in a forest area, as a wildfire burns, on the island of Evia, Greece, August 8, 2021. REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis - RC221P9360HQ

The fires have left a trail of destruction in their wake. Image: REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis

Drone footage shows damage at Kemerkoy Thermal Power Plant after a wildfire near Milas, a town in Mugla province, Turkey, August 5, 2021. REUTERS/Mehmet Caliskan - RC21ZO9NXSNC

Fires damaged the Kemerkoy Thermal Power Plant in Turkey. Image: REUTERS/Mehmet Caliskan

Firefighters in Italy used helicopters to tackle flames. Image: Vigili del Fuoco/Handout via REUTERS

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A major wildfire is also raging in California, with the Dixie Fire now the second largest in the state's history.

At least three people are missing with thousands evacuated to temporary accommodation.

Firefighter David Molter monitors the progress of flames that were burning along a roadway at the Dixie Fire, a wildfire near the town of Greenville, California, U.S. August 5, 2021. REUTERS/Fred Greaves - RC2BZO96J5PW

The Dixie Fire is one of several wildfires California's firefighters are tackling. Image: REUTERS/Fred Greaves

The sign leading to Greenville is pictured with letters that melted off when the Dixie Fire burned through the town, in Greenville, California, U.S. August 8, 2021. REUTERS/Fred Greaves - RC281P9XP456

The historic gold rush mining town of Greenville was almost completely destroyed by the fire. Image: REUTERS/Fred Greaves

Major fires burn in Russia

Major wildfires are also burning in Russia, with ABC News reporting that they're larger than all the other fires raging around the world combined. Smoke from the fires has even reached the North Pole.

Smoke has reached the north pole. Image: Reuters

The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that extreme weather is set to get more frequent – including longer and more intense fire seasons.

So, with these photos highlighting the pain and suffering these fires cause, the need for action is clear.

As World Economic Forum President Børge Brende said in response to the report: "The forest fires and floods of recent weeks delivered a clear language. And so does the IPCC report: we need to cut the carbon in our atmosphere now."