Massive Wildfire Threatens Athens Amid Record Heat and Strong Winds
A significant wildfire erupted northeast of Athens on Sunday, casting a dark pall over the Greek capital as the pervasive smell of smoke and soot filled the air. The fire, which broke out around 3 PM local time, is located approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles) from Athens, prompting an extensive response from emergency services. Over 400 firefighters, along with 110 fire engines and numerous volunteers, are battling the blaze to contain its spread.
By late afternoon, 15 firefighting planes and nine helicopters were deployed to combat the flames; however, aerial operations were halted at sunset. Fire department spokesman Colonel Vassileios Vathrakogiannis reported that the inferno is moving rapidly towards Lake Marathon, a crucial water reservoir supplying the city of Athens.
The severity of the fire is underscored by strong winds that have reached gale-force strength in the affected area, with flames reported to be exceeding 25 meters (80 feet) in height. Vathrakogiannis confirmed that an unknown number of houses have sustained damage due to the fire. In light of the escalating danger, residents in nearby villages have received emergency texts urging them to evacuate.
As the situation deteriorated, evacuation orders were also sent out to some northern suburbs of Athens, resulting in the police facilitating the evacuation of more than 200 individuals, predominantly elderly residents who did not respond to earlier warnings.
Fortunately, another fire that had broken out west of Athens has been reported as contained. Nevertheless, the overall threat remains critical. The ongoing hot and dry weather, amplified by strong winds, has significantly heightened the risk of wildfires in the region. Moreover, June and July have been recorded as the hottest months ever experienced in Greece, which also went through its warmest winter in recent history.
Meteorologists and government officials are issuing warnings of elevated wildfire risk due to persisting weather conditions expected to last from Sunday through Thursday. A substantial portion of the country is under a red alert, as confirmed by Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias. The current fire serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges posed by climate change and the urgent need for preparedness in the face of natural disasters.
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