Wildfires Spread Across Five Regions in Greece

Melbourne, 28 July — Wildfires have simultaneously broken out across five major regions in Greece. The intensity of the fires is so severe that smoke and the smell of burning wood have reached the center of Athens.

Following the outbreak, thousands of residents from Afidnes, Drosopigi, Kryoneri, and Agios Stefanos—located about 30 kilometers north of Athens—have been evacuated to safety, according to a BBC report on Sunday.

Citing Greece’s weather and forestry departments, the report states that several parts of the country remain at risk of wildfires in the coming days. Special warnings have been issued for the Ionian Islands, Western Greece, the Peloponnese, Central Greece, Attica, Epirus, Western and Eastern Macedonia, Thrace, Thessaly, the South Aegean, and Crete.

The fire that began in Afidnes on Saturday has spread to Drosopigi, Kryoneri, and Agios Stefanos.

According to the fire department, while the main sources of the fires are somewhat under control, scattered smaller blazes are still burning. Over 200 firefighters, helicopters, and water-dropping planes are working to bring the situation under control.

Meanwhile, Greece is also facing a severe heatwave. The weather office reported that temperatures could reach 44°C (111°F) on Sunday, and the extreme heat is expected to persist through the weekend.

The combination of extreme temperatures and strong winds is making it even more difficult to contain the fires. The Greek government has requested six additional firefighting planes from the European Union.

On Evia Island, a second wildfire is rapidly advancing toward the town of Afrati. The blaze has destroyed power poles and lines, cutting electricity in several villages, including Pournos and Mistros. Six firefighters have been hospitalized due to smoke inhalation and injuries.

Another major wildfire has broken out on Kythira Island, with local residents reporting scenes of complete destruction. With the help of coast guards and private boats, 139 people were rescued from Limnionas Beach and relocated to Kapsali Port.

In the Polithea area of Trifylia, Messenia, another wildfire erupted on Saturday morning and grew rapidly by midday. A total of 84 firefighters, 30 fire engines, and seven aircraft have been deployed to control the fire. Greece’s emergency service 112 has issued five alerts, urging residents to evacuate to safer areas.

On the island of Crete, in the Temenia area of Chania, yet another wildfire broke out in two locations simultaneously, destroying at least two homes.

Greece’s Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Yiannis Kefalogiannis, said in a statement:

“Our firefighters have been injured, lives are at risk, many homes have been destroyed, and vast forests have been lost.”

In June, wildfires on the island of Chios burned 11,600 acres of forest land. In early July, another wildfire on Crete led to the evacuation of 5,000 tourists.

Elsewhere in Europe, wildfires also broke out across Italy, including parts of Sicily and Sardinia, on Friday. Firefighters have been battling the blazes both by air and land. Fires in Trapani, Palermo, Partinico, Menio, and Catania have caused damage to homes, roads, and infrastructure. In Partinico, two homes were destroyed in seven separate fires, and residents from 30 houses had to be evacuated. One firefighter has been hospitalized due to smoke exposure.

Due to record heatwaves and drought, wildfires in Italy have become increasingly frequent in recent years.