Wildfire Forces Evacuations in Northern Athens as Greece Battles Multiple Blazes

On Saturday, a devastating wildfire tore through the northern suburb of Kryoneri, approximately 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) northeast of Athens. Residents were ordered to evacuate as the country’s Fire Service responded to the crisis. Vassilis Vathrakoyannis, a spokesman for the Fire Service, confirmed that residents received three emergency SMS notifications instructing them to seek safe areas as the flames engulfed homes across the town. Greek media outlets have reported widespread destruction, although specific assessments of the damage will only be possible once the fires are fully extinguished. Vathrakoyannis warned, "The real difficulties are ahead of us,' highlighting the precarious situation that firefighters face. In light of the escalating crisis, Greece has called upon the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism for assistance, requesting six additional firefighting planes. Currently, forces on the ground include 145 firefighters supported by 44 fire engines, 10 firefighting planes, and seven helicopters. The fire’s origin remains unknown, but the rapid expansion of the flames has been exacerbated by soaring temperatures exceeding 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit), arid conditions, and strong winds. These dangerous weather patterns are expected to persist, creating further challenges for firefighting efforts. A total of 52 wildfires have erupted across Greece within the last 24 hours, a worrying indicator of the growing frequency and severity of such incidents in recent years. In addition to the Kryoneri fire, firefighters are battling four other significant blazes on Greece's largest islands: Crete to the south, Evia north of Athens, and Kythera to the northwest of Crete. The combined efforts involve 335 firefighters, 19 aircraft, and 13 helicopters, which can only operate during daylight hours due to safety concerns. Emergency medical teams have also been deployed, with at least five elderly residents requiring treatment for respiratory issues exacerbated by smoke inhalation. As Greece grapples with these wildfires, the country's vulnerability to such natural disasters has become increasingly evident, with many destructive fires reported in recent months. The situation remains dire, and authorities are on high alert as they fight to control the flames and protect communities. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2