How wildfire hell ravaged tourist hotspots this summer - scorching popular destinations across France, Greece and Spain

This summer, wildfires have ripped through vast swathes of land, destroying properties and forcing tens of thousands of people to flee.From France to Greece and beyond, some of Europe's most popular holiday hotspots have been devastated by the flames.Greek islands, parts of Spain and France have been engulfed by infernos, as firefighters battle to contain the blazes.In some areas, the fires have been the worst seen in living memory.Here, we reveal the holiday hotspots transformed by the flames, with before-and-after pictures showing the devastating aftermath.Rethymno, Crete, Greece Before: The coastal town of Rethymno on Crete is popular among tourists After: Firefighters battled a wildfire burning near the village of Preveli in the Rethymno region After: Firefighters were deployed to tackle a blaze in Krya Vrysi, RethymnoHundreds of tourists in Greece were forced to flee wildfires by sea as flames tore through Europe. On the Greek island of Crete, crews tackled persistent hot spots along a 9.3-mile front and guarded against fresh outbreaks – including around the popular tourist destination of Rethymno.'We evacuated (some) 8,000 people' from the resort village of Agia Galini, Maria Lioni, deputy governor of the Rethymno area, told state TV ERT back in July. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies estimated 2,000 tourists were evacuated from fires on Crete and said homes, farmland, olive groves and livestock had been destroyed. Paros, Greece Before: Paros is known for its beautiful port and whitewashed buildings After: Wildfires on the Greek island of ParosWildfires have also affected the Peloponnese peninsula and the island of Paros – a popular tourist destination. Nine villages were evacuated due to the growing inferno. Local media reported that residents were fleeing to the beaches on the instructions of emergency services.Porto Germeno, near Athens, Greece Before: Magnificent views of the town and coast of Porto Germeno, Greece After: Photographs from August show the wreckage of the wildfires After: Local residents tried to save their homes from destructionHundreds of firefighters were also battling wind-fuelled fires near Porto Germeno – just 45 miles from Athens.Authorities said strong winds were causing the fire to spread rapidly and making it unpredictable for firefighters. The fire department's deputy spokesman Yiannis Artopios told state TV ERT that the wind was so strong that firefighters at the scene 'couldn't even open their vehicle doors'. British pilot Andrew Hutchinson, 48, was battling wildfires onboard the helicopter in Greece when it collided with the rotors of another aircraft, causing the deaths of a Danish pilot and a Greek fire service liaison officer. Madrid-Ávila countryside, Spain Before: Ordinarily, the scenery in Avila is stunning and expansive After: Firefighters battling a wildfire in Cebreros area, near Avila, in JulyRecord-breaking wildfires severely damaged large areas of Spain, including parts of the Madrid region and Avila.Evacuations took place in the Madrid region, Ávila, Toledo and Valencia.Madrid regional leader Isabel Díaz Ayuso earlier described the wildfires as 'the biggest natural catastrophe in the history of Spain'. Andalusia, Spain Before: Greenery and golf courses punctuate the landscape in Benahavis After: Wildfires in Benahavis, Andalusia also erupted over recent daysWildfires have also broken out in Andalusia – with a major one erupting this week near a Costa del Sol village popular with wealthy British holidaymakers and expats. At least 11 helicopters, 11 airplanes and more than 100 firefighters raced to tackle the blaze close to Benahavis, a short drive from Marbella. A column of smoke rising from the flames was visible over the weekend from beaches where tourists were soaking up the sun.The wildfire burned through the hillsides close to the mountain village as shocked residents looked on.Civil Protection chiefs warned locals: 'Close your doors and windows and avoid going out.'One person was burnt while trying to extinguish the fire and a firefighter was injured after falling while trying to tackle the blaze, local media reported.One resident said: 'Benahavis is in a terrible state. We managed to get out. They aren't letting anyone in anymore. The vegetation along the entire road leading to the village is on fire. It's horrible.'Provence, France Before: Cotignac is a popular travel destination in the Provence region After: Cotignac erupted into flames earlier this summer in July'Unprecedented' wildfires have ripped through France in recent weeks, including in Provence. The tourist village of Cotignac in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region was badly affected.The likes of George and Amal Clooney were also forced to flee from their luxury French estate after a fast-moving wildfire raced towards their home. The 65-year-old Oscar winner and the 48-year-old human rights lawyer live in Brignoles, also in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, which has been threatened by fires spreading.Clooney revealed that he and his wife had evacuated their home along with their nine-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella, in a letter to the mayor of Brignoles, Didier Brémond, his representative confirmed to People in July.Lège-Cap-Ferret peninsula, France Before: Lège-Cap-Ferret is popular among holidaymakers, beachgoers and campers After: A firefighter operates in a burned forest, in Lege-Cap-FerretLège-Cap-Ferret offers a blend of beaches and Arcachon Bay villages for tourists – but has also been affected by the wildfires. The area is popular among campers, and many campsites were forced to evacuate this summer. In Lège-Cap-Ferret, one campsite, ‘Aux Couleurs du Ferret’, was partially destroyed, with 22 of its 62 holiday rentals lost to the flames.Lacanau, France Before: Lacanau lures in many tourists each summer to its shores After: Beachgoers watch the wildfires on the coast of Moutchic in LacanauAuthorities ordered the evacuation of nearly 4,000 people from campsites, tourist residences, holiday villages and leisure parks around Lacanau on France's Atlantic coast.In Lacanau, all the campsites in the municipality were subsequently evacuated between July 28 and 31, according to CampingFrance.com. French firefighters were 'on the offensive', commander Eric Pitault insisted, as he stood in the middle of a 50-metre-wide, 25-kilometre-long firebreak cut with the help of civilian volunteers on the Cap Ferret peninsula.