Wildfires Force Thousands to Evacuate in Croatia and Greece
Listen to the story
A large wildfire in Croatia has injured dozens of people and forced thousands to evacuate their homes and hotels. The fire is one of several burning across Europe this summer.
Hundreds of people have also left resorts in Greece because of separate wildfires. Both tourists and local residents were told to leave the affected areas for their safety.
At least 10 people injured in the Croatian fire are now in intensive care, a hospital department for patients with very serious conditions. This shows how dangerous the situation has become.
Firefighters are working to bring the flames under control, but hot, dry, and windy weather is making their job harder. Strong winds can push fires forward quickly, making them difficult to predict.
These conditions are common in southern Europe during summer, but this year's heatwave has made wildfires spread faster and more widely than usual, affecting several countries at the same time.
Local authorities have set up evacuation routes and temporary shelters for people who had to leave their homes. Emergency services are urging residents to follow official instructions closely.
Officials have not yet confirmed exactly how the fires started, but dry vegetation and high temperatures are believed to have helped them spread rapidly across large areas.
Vocabulary8 words
- wildfire
- a large fire that burns forests, grass, or countryside
- evacuate
- to move people away from a dangerous place
- intensive care
- a hospital unit for people who are extremely sick or hurt
- firefighter
- a person trained to stop and control fires
- heatwave
- a period of unusually hot weather
- resort
- a place where many tourists go on holiday
- vegetation
- plants and trees growing in an area
- emergency services
- groups like firefighters and ambulances who help in dangerous situations
Quiz
Answer key
1. A wildfire 2. Hot, dry, and windy weather 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A large _____ in Croatia has injured dozens of people and forced thousands to _____ their homes and hotels.
Hundreds of people have also left resorts in _____ because of separate wildfires.
At least 10 people injured in the Croatian fire are now in _____ _____, a hospital department for patients with very serious conditions.
_____ are working to bring the flames under control, but hot, dry, and windy weather is making their job harder.
These conditions are common in southern Europe during summer, but this year's _____ has made wildfires spread faster.
Local authorities have set up _____ routes and temporary shelters for people who had to leave their homes.
Officials have not yet confirmed how the fires started, but dry _____ and high temperatures are believed to have helped them spread.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think wildfires are common in southern Europe during summer?
- How can communities prepare better for sudden evacuations?
- What challenges do firefighters face when fighting wildfires in strong winds?
- Do you think tourism in areas prone to wildfires should be limited during high-risk seasons? Why or why not?