A devastating wildfire tore through the northern suburbs of Athens on Monday, forcing evacuations and overwhelming firefighters and aircraft battling the blaze.
The massive fire, fueled by swirling winds, reached heights of over 80 feet and prompted Greece to request assistance from other countries through Europe’s civil protection mechanism.
The fire, which started on Sunday afternoon, destroyed homes and blanketed central Athens with smoke and ash, causing power cuts and traffic disruptions in the area.
Despite the efforts of hundreds of firefighters and numerous water-dropping planes, the blaze spread to outlying sections of an Athens suburb, injuring 15 people due to smoke inhalation.
France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Spain, and Turkey pledged support with helicopters, firefighters, and vehicles to aid in the firefighting efforts.
The wildfire, fueled by dry pine forests following extreme heat waves, posed a significant challenge to Greece’s firefighting forces, which have been battling fires since early in the year.
“Firefighters have been working tirelessly for months and are exhausted,” said Nikos Lavranos, head of Greece’s main firefighters’ union.
Authorities described the fire as exceptionally dangerous, burning on two fronts in difficult-to-reach areas on a mountain northeast of Athens.
Michael Varaklas/AP
Multiple facilities, including hospitals, monasteries, and a children’s home, were evacuated as the fire continued to spread, with homes in several areas being destroyed.
Evacuation orders were issued for additional Athens suburbs as the wildfire persisted, with more than 40 flare-ups reported in areas where the flames had subsided.
Over 700 firefighters, supported by specialized teams and aerial resources, were engaged in battling the flames, with heightened alerts at hospitals and warnings for residents near affected areas.
The police department assisted in evacuations, moving over 250 people away from the fire’s path, while authorities urged residents to comply with evacuation orders to prevent endangering lives.
Meteorologists and officials warned of increased wildfire risk due to weather conditions, with half of the country under a red alert for wildfires.
Wildfires are a common occurrence in Greece during the summer, exacerbated by climate change, with tragic incidents such as the 2018 Mati fire and last year’s deadly blazes underscoring the urgent need for preventive measures.
