Wildfires Rage in Athens Suburbs

Fierce wildfires continue to wreak havoc in the suburbs of Athens, with new evacuation alerts added for the seaside town of Nea Makri. A tragic incident has already claimed one life, with a woman’s body found in Vrilissia, northern Athens.

Thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate as firefighters warn that homes, schools, and businesses are at risk. While the huge smoke cloud over Athens has cleared somewhat, the air remains hazy, and helicopters have taken to the skies again after being grounded for safety overnight.

Despite the lack of a single active fire front, there are still many localized blazes threatening areas around Marathon and Penteli. Conditions remain dangerous for the days ahead as the fire service continues to battle multiple hotspots.

The efforts to control the flames involve over 700 firefighters, along with numerous fire engines and waterbombing aircraft. Sadly, two firefighters have required medical attention for burns sustained while fighting the fires.

Satellite images revealed that by noon on Monday, the fires had already scorched around 100,000 acres of land. In one of the hardest-hit areas, Penteli, authorities had to evacuate three hospitals and a timber factory as explosions were heard from fuel tanks and gas cylinders.

Local residents are feeling the emotional toll of the wildfires. One 24-year-old expressed her sadness and anger at seeing their beloved forest catch fire, while another elderly resident lamented the loss of years of hard work building his home.

European nations have responded to Greece‘s plight, with Italy, France, and Turkey sending aid in the form of planes and helicopters. EU officials have expressed solidarity with Greece as it battles these devastating fires.

As the wildfires rage on, the US Embassy in Athens has issued warnings for travelers to be cautious in affected areas. While flights at Athens airport are currently running normally, ferry services are being diverted due to the fires.

The ongoing heat wave and repeated drought conditions have raised concerns about the heightened risk of wildfires across the region, exacerbated by climate change. With temperatures continuing to rise, many are left wondering what the future holds for the Mediterranean’s fire season.