Greece issues evacuation orders as fire rages in Athens
Athens: A firefighter works to extinguish the flames at a burning house in northern Athens, Aug. 12, 2024, as hundreds of firefighters tackle a major wildfire. Dry pine forests and strong winds have aided the fire, making it difficult for firefighters to get the blaze under control.
A firefighter works to extinguish the flames at a burning house in northern Athens, Aug. 12, 2024, as hundreds of firefighters tackle a major wildfire. Dry pine forests and strong winds have aided the fire, making it difficult for firefighters to get the blaze under control.
Multiple evacuation orders were issued Monday to residents in the suburbs of Athens, Greece, and surrounding areas as a forest fire that began Sunday rages out of control.
Dry pine forests and strong winds have aided the fire, making it difficult for firefighters to get the blaze under control.
Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias described the blaze as an “exceptionally dangerous fire.”
A helicopter drops water over a fire in Nea Makri, east of Athens, Aug. 12, 2024, as hundreds of firefighters tackle a major wildfire raging out of control near Athens.
A helicopter drops water over a fire in Nea Makri, east of Athens, Aug. 12, 2024, as hundreds of firefighters tackle a major wildfire raging out of control near Athens.
According to officials, the fire is burning primarily on two fronts, with some of the blaze located in hard-to-reach areas on a mountain.
The fire department reportedly deployed 285 firefighters to assist 27 teams in tackling the blaze. A children’s home, children’s hospital, military hospital and two monasteries were evacuated on Monday, with emergency alerts sent to phones in the area. Multiple homes have been burned, but it is unclear how many.
Additional evacuation orders were issued for Athens’ suburbs, and three hospitals in the city were put on high alert to potentially treat fire-related injuries.
A sports hall was opened by authorities and rooms at hotels were provided to evacuees.
About 380 police officers assisted in the evacuation and helped in relocating over 250 people. Some residents who chose not to leave their homes following evacuation orders later became trapped and had to be rescued by firefighters.
This summer, Greece has experienced its hottest months on record, following the hottest winter ever recorded for the country.
Officials attribute the conditions to climate change, with more frequent and larger fires popping up in the country.
