Travelers in Athens watched as a cloud of smoke and ash rose above the Acropolis on Monday, August 12, the result of a massive forest fire that raged 38 kilometers northeast of the Greek capital.

The worst forest fire in Greece this year was under control by Wednesday morning. One woman was killed and dozens were injured, including firefighters. Around 50,000 hectares of land were razed to the ground and around 100 houses and businesses were destroyed or damaged.

Hundreds of firefighters and volunteers, supported by other European forces, were able to bring the devastating blaze under control, which was fuelled by strong winds that sent flames up to 25 metres high. The fire spread quickly through the dry forests of Mount Pendi and into the leafy suburbs of northern Athens.

Shocked that the fire could have reached their doorsteps, thousands of residents were forced to flee their homes. Animal welfare groups helped rescue dozens of pets and other animals. The Greek Hotel Association quickly stepped in to help the homeless, setting up a platform that provided temporary accommodation to 649 people in 39 hotels, according to state broadcaster ERT.

With temperatures expected to reach 38 degrees Celsius in Athens on Thursday and Friday, authorities remain on high alert to quickly tackle sporadic fire outbreaks. The fire broke out on Sunday in Varnavas, northeast of Athens, near the historic city of Marathon. The suburbs affected included Dionysos, Vrilissia and Halandri. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire, which is believed to have started in a field in Varnavas. Kostas Tsigas, chairman of the Firefighters Association, told Greek media that it was “probably the worst fire in the last 20 years.” He noted that 99 percent of fires are caused by humans, whether they are started intentionally or through carelessness.

Why are there so many forest fires in Greece?

Hundreds of forest fires have broken out in Greece since April, even before the official start of the fire season in May. So far this summer, fires have affected the islands of Evia, Chios, Kos and Crete, as well as Thessaloniki and other parts of the country. In early July, a fire on Kos forced 10,000 residents and visitors to be evacuated.

Scientists say their frequency and intensity are the result of increasingly hot and dry weather conditions across Europe, the world’s fastest-warming continent, which have been linked to the man-made climate crisis. This year, Greece is experiencing its hottest summer on record, with the earliest heatwave on record occurring in the first days of June.

Athens, like most of the country, has experienced higher than average temperatures and very low rainfall. As a result, the dried-out forest areas are prone to fires. According to the National Observatory, forest fires have destroyed 37 percent of the forests in the greater Athens area in the last eight years.

The impact of forest fires in Greece on local resources

In late July, a state of emergency was declared due to water shortages on islands such as Leros, Sifnos and parts of Crete and Kefalonia, which receive millions of visitors in the summer. Reservoirs and underground water sources have been hit hard by an unusually warm winter. Tourism demand has exacerbated the problem, with authorities looking for solutions such as temporary seawater desalination plants. The hotel industry, which has expanded in recent years, has also affected water supplies, particularly as swimming pools put additional strain on dwindling water resources.

I’m planning to travel to Greece in the near future. Should I still go?

Christos Stergiou, CEO and founder of Greece-based luxury travel company True Trips, told Afar that the concerns of tourists visiting Athens or those on the islands who have a scheduled flight to Athens are understandable.

“We are all very sad about what happened,” he said. Stergiou referred to Greece’s deadliest fire, which occurred east of Athens in 2018 and killed 104 people. “I think many of the lessons we learned from that tragic event have helped the country to create additional mechanisms, such as the emergency number 112,” he said. “One fire, for example, was very close to my parents’ house at one point. It broke out and was extinguished within minutes, as there are now (fire detection) drones and helicopters and planes to fight fires. And of course, on days when we know it will be very hot and windy, the fire brigade is spread across the regions.”

The Greek state has used new technologies to combat fires and “make people feel a little safer,” Stergiou said. He added: “Fires are happening in the US, Australia, Greece and many other countries. Unfortunately, I think this is the new normal.”

What can I do to stay safe in Greece?

At the time of writing, there have been no major forest fires in Greece. In emergency situations such as fires, residents and visitors in affected areas receive alerts on their phones, also in English, via the EU-wide emergency number 112, urging them to move to a safe area in time.

Stergiou said some travelers may receive 112 messages on their phone and still be unable to assess the geographical boundaries of the fire-affected areas. “In this case, talk to your travel advisor, your host hotel or the authorities. Ask the locals. They will be happy to help you,” he said.

Open fires are strictly prohibited during Greece’s fire season, which lasts until the end of October. In late June, fireworks from a privately chartered yacht burned 300 hectares of forest off the island of Hydra. If you see a fire or see someone lighting a fire, call the fire service on 199. If you need help in an emergency, dial 112.

How can I make a positive impact?

Whether you’re staying in a hotel, Airbnb, or at a friend’s house, be mindful of your water usage. Take short showers. Reuse towels and sheets. Turn off the air conditioning when you’re away to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.