Wildfires around the world

CAIRO – 12 October 2017: Thousands of fires swept through a number of countries on various continents, following a dramatic rise in temperature and drought, resulting in the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people in these countries and the declaration of a state of emergency.

Russia

In 2010, flames broke out in western Russia and many villages were destroyed; having experienced unprecedented heat and drought. About 60 people in fires that raged in late July until early September has spent more than 1 million hectares of forests and grassland.


Russia fire - CC

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev declared a state of emergency in seven regions.

Australia

In 2009, at least 173 people were killed in fires that ravaged the grassy plains of the southeast, where entire towns were swamped and more than 2,000 homes were built, especially Victoria which has had a long history of catastrophic bushfires. Thousands of firefighters and volunteers were caught in flames for weeks before Australia's worst firefight.


Australia fire - CC

Greece

In 2007, more than 100 fires were reported by July 15, 2007, Greek forest fires were a series of massive forest fires that broke out in several areas across Greece throughout the summer of 2007.


Greece fire - CC

About 60 people were killed in a fire that broke out 250,000 hectares in Evia village and Peloponnese peninsula; these fires have been the worst in this country in recent years, according to Wikipedia.

China

In 1987, the most serious forest fire in China's modern history erupted, killing at least 119 people, injuring 102 and displacing 51,000 in the northeast, in addition to 2.5 million acres of land burned.


In 1949 Landes Forest had a fatal wildfire that 82 people (52 civilians and 30 firefighters) - CC

It took several more days for the firefighters to finally stop the spread of the fire as it moved towards Inner Mongolia, according to History Magazine.

France

In 1949, fire broke out over a sudden change in the direction of the wind, ravaging south-west France.


Violent Forest Fires In The Landes. Landes, France, Août 1949 - CC

About 82 workers, including firefighters, volunteers and 23 soldiers, were rescued; in addition to 50,000 hectares (500 kilometers squared) of forest land were burnt.

United States

In 1871, the deadliest forest fire in the United States, which broke out in October 1871 in Beshtigo, Wisconsin, has killed 800 to 1,200 people. The fire, which was declared a few days ago in the forest, destroyed in a few hours this forest town of 1,700 people and hit another 16 villages on an area of 500,000 hectares.


Great Fire of 1871 (Illustration) Nineteenth Century Life Awesome Radio - Narrated Stories Famous - Creative Commons

In 2017, California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in several northern counties, as well as in Orange County in Southern California; where a fire destroyed 15 structures and damaged 12, the Anaheim Fire and Rescue Department said.


Vines are seen at a vineyard during the Nuns Fire in Kenwood, California, U.S., October 10, 2017. REUTERS/Stephen Lam