Europe's wildfires spread to unexpected areas, testing preparedness

Massive wildfires are burning across Europe, forcing evacuations and causing deaths and major damage in countries from Greece to Belgium, Germany and the UK, according to France 24. The blazes have spread into unexpected areas, raising questions about whether Europe is facing a new normal of fire risk beyond the traditional Mediterranean hotspots.

Alexander Held, a senior expert at the European Forest Institute, told France 24 that fires are now occurring in regions not historically prone to them, and he discussed how citizens can help prevent and limit wildfires. The fires come as southern Europe, including Italy, endures a summer of extreme heat that has strained economies from tourism to agriculture.