For the third consecutive day, Greece continues its battle against massive wildfires near Athens, with hundreds of European firefighters expected to join the efforts to extinguish the deadly blaze that has affected large areas in the suburbs of the Greek capital.
Due to strong winds, Greece is facing its worst wildfire situation this year, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes and causing significant destruction around Athens.
At least one person has died and at least 66 others have received medical assistance, while two firefighters have also been injured in the battle against the fires.
“We are in the best possible condition across the front,” said Costas Tsigkas, head of the Greek firefighters’ association on August 13.
“But, the conditions will still be tough. There will be winds,” and “every hour that passes will be more difficult,” he told state television ERT.
Meteorologists have forecast temperatures up to 38 degrees Celsius on Tuesday in Athens and winds reaching up to 39 kilometers per hour.
Nearly 700 firefighters, supported by 200 firefighting vehicles and nine aircraft, were involved on Tuesday in efforts to extinguish the fires that broke out Sunday afternoon in the town of Varnavas, about 35 kilometers northeast of Athens, said the fire service.
Strengthened by strong winds, the fires have spread over a length of 30 kilometers and in some places, the flames reach up to 25 meters, according to Greek state television.
The National Observatory of Greece reported on Monday that at least 10,000 hectares have been destroyed by the fires.
The Greek government has called on other countries to assist, and firefighters, helicopters, vehicles, and other equipment from France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia, and Turkey are expected to soon arrive in Greece, authorities said.
In recent days, Greece has evacuated thousands of people from communities in the suburbs of Athens. This summer’s wildfire season in Greece has caused dozens of fires daily, with the country experiencing the hottest winter and the hottest June and July since records began in 1960.
