Greek wildfire spreads to edge of Athens
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Loading... - Evan Boucher
- 12 Aug 2024
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A rapidly advancing wildfire, fueled by scorching summer temperatures and strong winds, reached the outskirts of Athens on Monday, destroying trees, homes, and vehicles while forcing the evacuation of more than 25 towns and villages. Greek authorities reported that nearly 700 firefighters, assisted by volunteers, 190 fire engines, and 33 waterbombing aircraft, have been battling the fire since it ignited near Varnavas, about 35 kilometers (20 miles) north of the capital, on Sunday afternoon.
By Monday, the fire had spread to the densely populated northern suburbs of Athens, around the heavily wooded Mount Penteli, filling the horizon with columns of smoke. This wildfire is the most severe in Greece this year, although no fatalities have been reported so far. Thirteen individuals were treated for smoke inhalation, and two firefighters sustained burns, according to fire brigade spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakogiannis.
The government ordered evacuations in at least 25 areas, including three hospitals, and power outages were reported in parts of the greater Athens region. Over 250 people have been evacuated with the assistance of police, while some residents spent the night in shelters.
Wildfires are a common occurrence during Greek summers, but climate change has made these events more frequent and severe, with hotter and drier conditions exacerbating the situation. Similar wildfires have also been reported this month in parts of Spain and the Balkans.
As flames threatened the outskirts of Athens, some residents in Penteli remained in their homes, attempting to extinguish the smaller fires with hoses or tree branches, even as smoke swirled around them. The country remains on high fire alert until at least Thursday, with temperatures expected to soar up to 40°C (104°F). Authorities have called for a coordinated emergency response involving the army, police, and volunteers during this period.
On Sunday, the fire brigade described the blaze as spreading "like lightning," with flames reaching up to 25 meters (82 feet) high. By nightfall, thick smoke had engulfed the sky over Athens. On Monday, the fire reached the village of Grammatiko, the seaside municipality of Nea Makri, and the town of Marathonas, with previously controlled areas reigniting. Due to the fire's approach, passenger ferries heading to the port of Rafina were rerouted to Lavrio, southeast of Athens.
