Wildfires Rage Across Croatia, Greece, Balkans

Firefighters tackled blazes close to Croatia's coastline as wildfires raged in Greece and the Balkans after weeks of scorching weather.

Firefighters were deployed to areas close to the village of Bratiskovci, close to the coastal city of Sibenik, while planes dumped water in an attempt to extinguish the flames.

The fire burned about 450 hectares of pine forest close to Sibenik, a local fire official said by phone.

The Balkans region has seen above-average temperatures and dry conditions over the past month that have created ideal conditions for wildfires, scientists say.

Meanwhile firefighters struggled to beat back fires in northern Albania's Shengjin, as the blaze hit the coastal region and swept through beach areas.

"The situation remains very problematic despite the total commitment at the national level," said Albania's defense ministry in a statement.

Police ordered evacuation for some residents but did not provide specific details regarding the number of people who were asked to leave.

Around 150 firefighters with 40 vehicles and a helicopter worked to extinguish the fires.

Albanian authorities also called for assistance from abroad to help battle the fires.

Footage posted online also showed one fire sweeping through a beach resort in Shengjin.

Summers in the Balkans are regularly disrupted by wildfires, with scattered blazes hitting swaths of southern Croatia and neighboring North Macedonia this week.

Blazes were also burning across Albania with fires reported near tourist hotspots Korca and Gjirokastra along with fires by the northern city of Shkodra.

The forest fire that broke out in the municipality of Val Verdejo (Cuenca) affects, according to first estimates, about 1,500 hectares and has mobilized more than 200 troops and fifty media from the Infocam Plan of Castilla-La Mancha, two Reinforcement Brigades against Forest Fires and the Military Emergency Unit.