Forest fires force several regions near Athens to evacuate
As AP News reported, a large forest fire has broken out in the northern outskirts of Athens, Greece, leading to large-scale evacuations.
The fire, which broke out on Sunday afternoon about 35 kilometers from the capital, was fueled by strong winds and dry weather conditions following a prolonged heat wave.
By Monday morning, hundreds of firefighters, supported by more than two dozen firefighting aircraft, were busy fighting the fire.
Evacuation orders were issued for more than a dozen areas, including Marathon and several suburbs of Athens, and local authorities provided emergency shelters and hotel accommodation for the displaced.
Authorities warned that the situation remained precarious. Firefighters urged residents to follow evacuation orders so as not to endanger themselves or rescue workers.
Fire service spokesman Colonel Vassileios Vathrakogiannis stressed the ongoing danger posed by strong winds: “During the night, the wind remained strong and led to dangerous situations.”
High alert level throughout Greece: Weather conditions increase fire risk
Greece remains on high alert for forest fires as meteorologists and government officials warn of increased danger in half of the country.
The fire in northern Athens is the latest in a series of fires that have hit the country during a particularly dry summer.
According to Vassilis Kikilias, Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, a “red alert” has been declared and more forest fires are expected to occur through Thursday.
The situation was made worse by the country’s extreme weather conditions: an unusually dry winter was followed by repeated heat waves, making the landscape extremely vulnerable to fires.
Authorities deployed significant resources, including more than 500 firefighters and 152 vehicles, to bring the fire under control, with flames reaching heights of more than 25 metres at times.
Impact on health and safety measures when fire spreads
The ongoing fire has also raised health concerns among residents of Athens and surrounding areas.
A children’s hospital and a military hospital were evacuated early Monday as firefighters responded to the growing threat.
In addition, local media reported that two firefighters suffered minor injuries, while several civilians had to be treated for smoke inhalation.
Authorities have set up evacuation centers, including gyms and hotel rooms, to accommodate people forced to leave their homes.
Despite these efforts, there were some cases where residents ignored evacuation orders, requiring rescue later and placing additional strain on the fire service.
Historical context and ongoing challenges in fighting forest fires in Greece
Forest fires are a recurring problem in Greece, especially during the hot, dry summer months.
However, the frequency and intensity of these fires have increased; authorities attribute this trend to climate change.
The current fire near Athens has been compared to past tragedies, including the Mati fire in 2018 that killed over 100 people.
In 2023, more than 20 people were killed in forest fires in Greece, including 18 migrants trapped in the flames in a forest in northeastern Greece.
Firefighters battle massive forest fire near Athens: Summary
A forest fire on the northern outskirts of Athens has triggered widespread evacuations and large-scale firefighting operations.
As AP News reported, the fire started on Sunday and spread quickly due to strong winds and dry weather.
More than 500 firefighters and 29 firefighting aircraft were deployed.
Authorities have issued evacuation orders for several areas, including Marathon and several suburbs.
The fire resulted in injuries and forced the evacuation of hospitals.
The state of high alert remains in place in Greece. Authorities warn of ongoing fire danger due to extreme weather conditions.
The ongoing challenges underscore the growing risk of forest fires in the region.
