Driven by strong winds, two new large wildfires broke out Greece, Triggering evacuation warnings for villages in southeastern and northwestern Athens-only a few days after the fire destroyed a large area of forest north of the Greek capital.
There were no reports of casualties, but Greek media reported that several buildings were damaged.
Hundreds of wildfires swept Greece this month After the worst heat wave in decades, its forests became dry. Other Mediterranean countries—including Turkey, Italy, Algeria, and Spain—have similar problems.
Scientists say that there is no doubt that climate change caused by the burning of coal, oil and natural gas is driving more extreme weather events.
The first fire in Greece broke out in the Keratea area of southeast Athens on Monday morning, which destroyed bushes and threatened a national park in the Sounion area. Three communities were ordered to evacuate. Some residents desperately soaked their houses, while volunteers took water pipes and branches to help put out the fire. More than 100 firefighters, 8 water drop planes and 11 helicopters are working hard to control the fire, which seems to weaken at night.
Local mayor Dimitris Loukas told Greek TV that the authorities are investigating reports of arson. He said residents saw people setting fire to trash cans in their cars.
On the other side of the capital, in the northwest, another fire broke out in the Vella area on Monday, triggering an evacuation alert for eight other villages. Strong winds hinder firefighting work, and flames may spread to nearby wooded mountains.
240 firefighters are fighting the fire, of which 143 are from Poland, and are supported by 8 water drop planes and 9 helicopters.
The fire department said there were 45 wildfires across the country from Sunday night to Monday night. Most people are quickly under control.
The two fires in Greece that started in early August, One on the island of Evia and Another in a national park north of Athens, Monday was still smoldering, and firefighters were trying to protect their surroundings. In Evia, water bombers were deployed again on Monday to assist ground forces.
On Monday, Greek Civil Defense Director Nikos Hardalias, who was responsible for coordinating the fight against wildfires and the country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, was taken to a hospital in Athens, where he underwent unplanned heart surgery. A statement from the Ministry of Health stated that the operation was successful.
Weeks of wildfires have pushed Greece’s response capabilities to the limit. Approximately 24 European and Middle Eastern countries sent ground crews, aircraft and vehicles to help. Most people have left, but 40 Austrian firefighters still remain in the southern Peloponnese, where two fires have been burning for several days.
In recent weeks, several other Mediterranean countries have suffered intense heat and the rapid spread of wildfires, including Algeria, where wildfires have killed at least 75 people; Turkey has killed at least 16 people in wildfires, and Italy has several incidents related to fires. Related deaths.
This summer, worsening drought and high temperatures also fueled wildfires in the western United States and northern Siberia in Russia.
