On the flight to Athens, none of us was prepared to see the clouds caused by the fire that swept across the sides of the plane when it landed on Friday.
News engulfed by extreme heat Greece It spread beyond its borders throughout the week, wrapped in increasingly desperate language. The temperature broke a record that almost no one had imagined. If Monday is not good, then Tuesday is even worse. In some parts of the country, the mercury temperature has reached 47 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit), and the thermal imager on the drone recorded the ground temperature of 55 degrees Celsius in central Athens.
By Wednesday, we heard that the entire suburban forest in the Greek capital The northern edge has risen in the flames. Hell seems to remind Dante’s hell of everything they have passed through. Friends have lost their homes; thousands of people have been evacuated as residents and tourists fled the affected area in any way possible. The terraces, the Athenians’ respite from the heat, have become a forbidden zone full of ashes.
“It’s crazy here. Between extreme heat and wildfires, it feels like the end of the world,” Eleni Myrivili, a friend who was recently appointed the first chief thermal officer of Athens, wrote in a letter on Thursday. The email wrote that the army was sent to assist the firefighters at that time. “In Athens, volcanic ash is falling on us like raindrops.”
It can be clearly seen from the sky that the city is under siege, caught in an unbearable cycle of heat, and the terrain is so dry that it is ready to catch fire at any time.
The head of civil protection, Nikos Hardalias, told reporters that the fires raged across the country, some were large, some were small, and some were extinguished and then reignited. He said that the situation was not only “extremely dangerous” but also unprecedented. It is estimated that firefighters trying to protect densely populated areas, power facilities and historical sites have fought 154 wildfires within a week. There are still more than 60 fires still raging on Saturday.
“In the past few days, we are facing an unprecedented situation in China, the intensity and distribution of wildfires, and new epidemics everywhere. [Greece]”,” he said. “I want to assure you that all available forces are participating in the battle. “
Under the smoky sky-so dense that the authorities urge residents to wear masks outdoors and close windows in their homes-other countries, including the United Kingdom, stepped up to help this weekend, sending water jets, firefighters and vehicles to Athens .
Although the temperature dropped after 11 days of over 40 degrees Celsius, the wind also strengthened on Friday, which became a new flashpoint in the city.
By Saturday, a huge fire had burned down forests and houses, heading towards Marathon Lake, the city’s main reservoir, and was advancing up the slopes of Mount Parnitha, surrounding what is believed to be the last substantial “green lung” in Athens. “The National Park, and emit more suffocating smoke through the Attica Basin.
On the island of Evia to the east of the capital, fires also raged from west to north, passing through rugged woodland. Ferries, tourist boats, and fishermen scrambled to evacuate more than 1,000 people from seaside villages and beaches. A dramatic scene took place. It can be seen that when men and women board the boat to go to a safe place, they hold the baby and use the chair to carry the elderly and vulnerable groups.
In the far south of the Peloponnese, the emergency services have worked hard to control the fire for the fifth consecutive day. The fire has destroyed most of Ilia and Messinia and threatened ancient Olympia, where the Olympic flame is held every fourth. Ignite once a year.
Remember the huge loss of life From the fire that swept the seaside resort of Marti In the summer of 2018, the Greek government has made evacuation a priority.
So far, there have been two reports of deaths related to the latest fires-one victim was a volunteer firefighter, and the other victim was Konstantinos Michalos (Konstantinos), president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry who was educated in the UK. Michalos). A devastating wildfire spread in Kryoneri, a suburb of northeastern Athens.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that climate change is clearly the culprit of climate change that “turned the country into a gunpowder keg”, and that it has caused the worst in neighboring Turkey and Italy in decades. Serious disaster.
Athens is the hottest metropolis on the European continent. Meteorologists predict the annual average temperature The temperature across the Mediterranean will increase by up to 2C In the next 30 years.
However, in the darkness of natural problems, an extraordinary story of bravery also appeared last week.
At 3 o’clock on Saturday morning, his home in Thrakomakedones at the foot of Parnitha Mountain may be razed to the ground, and Alexandros Rizos decided to stay and “defend” the property. His wife and children were evacuated safely. The 55-year-old business development consultant stood on the two-story roof, watering his garden and the top of the pine trees, anticipating the imminent fire.
“I am very attached to this house,” said Rizos, an avid marathon runner, when he described the drama that took place after four sleepless nights. “As soon as the evacuation order came, I went into hiding. The fire came, like a typhoon, and there was golden rain everywhere. I was there, alone, very scared, but I also took all measures. I have cleaned up. The garden was removed and the pine cones were removed. The typhoon lasted about four minutes, but the grass and treetops outside were wet enough to let the fire pass.”
A few minutes later, the appearance of the firefighter and his own heroic efforts saved the entire community from becoming cinder.
Like many people, Rixos believes that the climate emergency will only get worse. “We are ecologists, we love nature, and we want to protect the environment, not install air conditioners that will destroy the environment. But at a temperature of 45C, it will be difficult. We have to adapt. Of course, I will use other non-flammable ones. Trees replace pine trees.”
Myrivili worries about the impact of the destruction of so many forests around Athens. Mount Parnitha is the center of biodiversity and home to some of the richest flora and fauna in Europe.
“These mountains around Athens are our life support,” she said, describing the challenge of mitigating the heat as the challenge of all battles facing Greece now. “We have taken a big step back. An important part of our green infrastructure has disappeared. Since all these trees no longer exist, we will face new climatic conditions. The temperature in the Athens metropolitan area will be higher in the next few years. And there may be flooding.”
