Athens, August 11, 2024, The Europe Today: Smoke from several wildfires engulfed Greece’s capital, Athens, on Sunday as the nation faced extreme weather warnings for the remainder of the week. The fires are part of a broader wave of blazes that have erupted across the country during what has been the hottest June and July on record.
Latest Fires in East Attica and Beyond
One of the most significant fires broke out in the town of Varnavas, located approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles) north of Athens, in the East Attica region. The blaze prompted a large-scale response from authorities, with 250 firefighters, 67 vehicles, 12 firefighting aircraft, and seven helicopters deployed to combat the flames. Local residents were instructed to evacuate as some of the flames reached heights of over 25 meters.
Another fire ignited earlier on Sunday in nearby Megara, triggering an evacuation alert. In response, 48 firefighters with 13 vehicles, supported by volunteers, worked on the ground while planes and helicopters provided aerial assistance.
Further north, in Thessaloniki, a fire in the town of Lagadas was reported to be partially under control. Twenty firefighters, 10 vehicles, and one helicopter were engaged in efforts to contain the blaze.
By late Sunday, firefighters reported that they had managed to deal with 33 out of the 40 fires that had erupted over the past 24 hours.
Nationwide Red Alert for Wildfires
Amid the ongoing crisis, several regions across Greece have been placed on high alert for wildfires on Sunday and Monday. Vassilis Kikilias, the country’s minister for civil protection, warned that the combination of high temperatures, strong wind gusts, and drought conditions had placed half of Greece under a high-risk warning.
Kostas Lagouvardos, director of research at the National Observatory of Athens, emphasized the urgency of a rapid response to any new fires, given the extreme weather conditions. “What makes the situation so dangerous is the prolonged drought and very high temperatures that last for a long time,” Lagouvardos told state broadcaster ERT. He also noted that winds in some areas could reach up to 90 kilometers per hour (56 miles per hour), making Sunday one of the most challenging days for battling the fires.
Greece’s Vulnerability to Summer Blazes
Greece is particularly susceptible to summer wildfires, with this season seeing daily blazes following the country’s earliest recorded heatwave in June. Scientists have warned that climate change, driven by carbon emissions, is exacerbating the length, frequency, and intensity of heatwaves globally.
As Greece grapples with these unprecedented conditions, the nation remains on high alert, with firefighters and emergency services working tirelessly to protect communities and prevent further devastation.
