Wildfire Costs & Prevention Push: The EU says wildfire damage this summer has already topped €15bn and is urging countries to invest more in nature-based prevention, from clearing flammable vegetation to restoring wetlands that can act as firebreaks. Greece Wildfire Toll: Satellite data and WWF Hellas report more than 18,000 hectares burned since late July, with hundreds of fires, extreme winds, and multiple deaths including firefighters and helicopter pilots. West Nile Surge in Greece: EODY confirms 65 locally acquired West Nile cases as of Aug. 5, with six deaths and rising hospitalizations, warning especially for people over 65 as the season accelerates. Animal Rescue Under Fire: In Megara, volunteers and authorities are reuniting hundreds of displaced pets and wildlife after a wildfire west of Athens, highlighting calls for dedicated EU animal rescue support and “fire refuges.” Public Health & Heat Risk: Germany’s heat death toll is reported at 11,900 through July, underscoring how lack of air conditioning leaves older residents exposed—an urgent lesson for Greece’s heat-and-fire season. Biodiversity Watch: Early stork migration over Büyükada has been observed in the first week of August, with bird enthusiasts noting unusually early timing that local lore links to a harsher winter. Local Environment & Infrastructure: Athens-area authorities report damage assessment and recovery planning after fires, while Athens begins drainage works on Strain Road to tackle decades of flooding.