Athens, Aug 13: Firefighters in Greece are grappling with a series of dangerous wildfires near Athens, which have prompted the evacuation of hundreds of residents. As the flames consume more areas, the capital has been shrouded in smoke, creating hazardous conditions for its inhabitants.
By Sunday afternoon, emergency services had managed to contain 33 of the 40 wildfires reported in the past 24 hours. However, seven fires, intensified by high Mediterranean summer temperatures, remained out of control. Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, a spokesperson for the fire brigade, described the situation as “critical,” with flames reaching heights of over 25 meters.
The fires have severely impacted the region of East Attica, particularly the Varnavas area, where the blaze spread to a pine forested zone. This fire emitted so much smoke that Athens appeared red at one point. In response, hundreds of people from at least eight villages have been evacuated, with some residents fighting to save their homes.
The country’s minister for civil protection had issued a high-risk warning due to soaring temperatures, wind gusts, and drought conditions. With temperatures expected to peak at 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit) on Monday and winds potentially reaching 90 kilometers per hour, the firefighting efforts face additional challenges.
The Greek government has mobilized over 400 firefighters, 110 vehicles, and 29 aerial firefighting units to combat the blazes. Despite these efforts, the fires have already caused significant damage, destroying homes and vehicles, and threatening numerous other properties.
In the village of Metohi, residents like Eugenia, who was seen on her motorbike checking on her pets, expressed fears of what the night might bring. “Every year we have to escape from our houses,” she said, highlighting the recurring nature of these fires.
Meanwhile, the fire in Megara, West Attica, has triggered an evacuation alert and partially destroyed at least three homes. A smaller fire in Thessaloniki’s Lagadas area is partially contained with the help of 20 firefighters and aerial support.
The Mediterranean country has been particularly vulnerable to wildfires this season, exacerbated by record-breaking heatwaves and dry conditions. Scientists attribute these worsening conditions to human-induced climate change, which is lengthening wildfire seasons and increasing the frequency and intensity of such events.
The situation remains dire, with emergency crews working through the night to bring the fires under control and protect affected communities.
