ATHENS: A wildfire broke out near the Greek capital of Athens on Monday, fueled by a scorching heatwave that has gripped the country. As a precautionary measure, several seaside resorts were ordered to evacuate as firefighters battled to contain the blaze.
The fire originated in Kouvaras, a town located 50 kilometers (30 miles) southeast of Athens. Firefighters faced challenging conditions, as strong winds with gusts of up to 60 kilometers (37 miles) per hour fanned the flames, according to Yannis Artopios, a spokesman for the firefighters.
Greece, along with Italy and Spain, has been experiencing a heatwave since the previous week, with temperatures soaring to a sweltering 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit) in the central part of the country.
To combat the wildfire, seven water-bombing aircraft, four helicopters, and 150 firefighters, supported by 30 colleagues from Romania, were deployed on two fronts, as reported by local media. The fire rapidly consumed vegetation and advanced southward towards the Attica region, posing a threat to the resorts of Lagonissi, Anavyssos, and Saronida.
Residents Urged to Leave Affected Areas Near Athens
Thick smoke enveloped the roads around Kalyvia, causing traffic disruptions. As a safety measure, authorities urged residents to leave the affected area, and monks from a local monastery were also evacuated.
Additionally, another forest fire erupted near the Isthmus of Corinth, close to the popular beach town of Loutraki, driven by strong winds. Precautionary evacuations were ordered in Loutraki as well, according to the domestic press agency ANA.
In Athens, where temperatures reached 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit) on Saturday, the Acropolis, one of Greece’s renowned tourist attractions, closed during the hottest hours for three consecutive days until Sunday.
Although a slight temperature drop is forecasted for Greece by Wednesday, with a decrease of around 2 to 4 degrees Celsius, the national weather service EMY predicts a new heatwave to follow on Thursday, bringing local highs of up to 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit).
Yannis Artopios, the firefighters’ spokesman, highlighted the challenging conditions ahead, stating, “We are in the middle of the period of fighting fires, and the conditions expected will be particularly difficult and favor forest fires.” Authorities remain vigilant and continue their efforts to combat the wildfires amidst the ongoing heatwave.
