Greece wildfires: Evacuations ordered near Athens as authorities try to contain blaze

CNN
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A fast-spreading forest fire broke out in several neighborhoods near Greek Fires broke out in the capital Athens on Monday, prompting authorities to urge residents to evacuate their homes.

Local authorities said some 685 firefighters and 32 aerial water-pumping units were deployed to put out the blaze, which broke out on Sunday near the town of Varnavas, north of Athens.

Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said emergency crews had been battling a “very dangerous fire” for more than 20 hours, in “dramatic conditions” exacerbated by strong winds, persistent drought and impenetrable terrain in dense, unburned forests.

The fire service said the blaze showed no sign of abating, with 40 flare-ups recorded since the early hours of Monday morning.

Officials have not specified the size of the fire, but Greek state broadcaster ERT estimates it is more than 30 kilometers (about 19 miles) long.

Fires were seen burning near homes on Greek television. Some yards were burning. Not all residents left the affected areas, but stayed in their homes in an attempt to save them.

Firefighters warned Monday that wildfires were moving toward Bentley, about 16 kilometers (about 10 miles) northeast of Athens, with “great momentum.” The area is located at the foot of Mount Bentley, which is surrounded by wooded areas, according to the To Reuters.

One local resident said seeing the fires in her local forest was “painful,” Reuters reported. “We grew up in this forest. We feel very sad and angry,” said Marina Kalogerakou, 24.

“Things are very difficult, there are fires coming back all the time, and rain of ash,” a tired-looking firefighter told Greek television.

Reuters reported that one resident crashed his car into a pine tree while trying to escape the fire. “I couldn’t see,” said Pantelis Kyriazis, pointing to his bleeding elbow.

In the Dioni area, a resident faced “suffocating” clouds of smoke while pouring water on his home, according to CNN. Associated Press.

“The wind was blowing one way and then the other. The smoke was choking. You couldn’t see. Your eyes were watering. You couldn’t breathe,” said Spiros Gorilla.

Although wildfires are common in the Greek summer, climate scientists say unusually hot and dry weather linked to global warming is making the fires more intense and common. Greek authorities have already battled dozens of blazes this summer after experiencing their hottest June and July on record.

Kikilias warned over the weekend that “extremely dangerous weather conditions” would continue until Thursday.

The fire service said health and emergency workers had treated 13 residents and two firefighters for burns and respiratory injuries since Sunday. Three hospitals in the Attica region were on high alert. Twenty children were evacuated from a hospital in Penteli, according to Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis.

“The winds remained strong throughout the night, creating dangerous conditions. Unfortunately, they are expected to intensify in the coming hours and citizens of the areas where the fires are developing must in any case follow the instructions of the authorities,” said fire service spokesman Vasilios Vathrakoyannis.

Officials also said homes were damaged, without specifying how many.

The wildfires have raised fears that Greece could be heading for a repeat of 2011. last summerwhen fires swept through many areas and islands, including its forested national park, known as the “lungs of Athens.”

CNN has Reported Reports suggest that the recent spike in missing people in Greece may be linked to the country’s extreme heat. In June, several tourists disappeared after going on a hike and were later found dead in several locations across the country. Authorities have warned people not to underestimate the effects of high temperatures.

The story has been updated with developments.