Greece Faces Devastating Wildfires Amidst Extreme Heat Wave

As Greece grapples with intense wildfires fueled by soaring temperatures and high winds, officials are taking measures to evacuate affected residents and seek support from the EU, highlighting the urgent need for action and relief.

Greece is currently struggling to control five significant wildfires that are sweeping across various regions, with authorities executing evacuations just 30 kilometers (approximately 18.6 miles) north of Athens. The pervasive smell of burning wood reached as far as central Athens, prompting Greece to appeal for assistance from the European Union to combat the spreading flames. This crisis is worsening as the country endures a relentless heatwave, with temperatures projected to soar up to 44°C on Sunday, a trend expected to continue over the weekend.

Giannis Kefalogiannis, Greece’s Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister, reported injuries among firefighters and significant property losses, emphasizing the toll on human life and natural resources. High winds paired with severe heat have exacerbated the situation, leading to Greece's formal request for six additional firefighting aircraft through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

In the Attica region, where Athens is located, a fire that ignited in Afidnes on Saturday swiftly advanced through Drosopigi, Kryoneri, and Agios Stefanos, forcing numerous residents to evacuate. Although the fire service has managed to contain the primary front, scattered hotspots remain. Currently, over 200 firefighters, along with aerial support, are engaged in battling the blaze.

On Evia Island, another wildfire near Pissona has spiraled out of control, threatening the village of Afrati, with several nearby communities losing power due to destroyed pylons and lines. Six firefighters have been hospitalized due to burns and smoke inhalation, while 115 personnel persist in efforts to quell the flames. Mayor Giorgos Psathas of Dirfyon-Messapion has stated, "The destruction is incalculable."

The scenario in Kythira depicts a similar crisis, with a wildfire consuming significant land and prompting the evacuation of numerous settlements. In a coordinated response, the coastguard, along with private boats, successfully rescued 139 individuals from Limnionas beach and transported them safely to Kapsali port.

Additionally, a fourth wildfire ignited in Messinia’s Polithea area on Saturday, which intensified quickly, prompting five emergency alerts via Greece’s 112 system, urging citizens to evacuate from several villages. The strong winds complicate firefighting efforts, with 84 firefighters on the ground, supported by 30 vehicles and seven aircraft.

In the Chania region of Crete, the fifth wildfire is ongoing in Temenia, having erupted in two separate locations and causing substantial property damage, with at least two homes destroyed. Various regions remain at risk from potential fires, including the Ionian Islands, Western Greece, the Peloponnese, and Central Greece.

Recent wildfires on Greece's fifth-largest island, Chios, have already devastated 4,700 hectares (about 11,600 acres), and in early July, a fire in Crete necessitated the evacuation of 5,000 tourists.