The skies over southern Greece turned orange on Tuesday as dust clouds blown across the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa engulfed the Acropolis and other Athens landmarks. Strong southerly winds carrying dust from the Sahara Desert gave the atmosphere of the Greek capital a Martian-like filter in the last hours of daylight. The skies were predicted to clear on Wednesday as winds shifted and moved the dust, with temperatures expected to dip.
The strong southerly winds over the past few days also fanned unseasonal early wildfires in the country’s south. The fire service reported that a total of 25 wildfires broke out across Greece in the past 24 hours. Three people were arrested on the Aegean Sea resort island of Paros on suspicion of accidentally starting a scrub blaze on Monday. Another blaze on Crete near a naval base was brought under control Tuesday. No significant damage or injuries were reported, and the fires were quickly contained.
Last year, Greece recorded the largest wildfire in the European Union in more than two decades. With persistent drought and high spring temperatures, there are fears of a challenging fire season for firefighters in the coming months. Wildfire response plans have been overhauled in Greece ahead of the summer fire season, as the country often suffers devastating and deadly forest blazes during this time.
Temperatures in parts of the southern island of Crete topped 86 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday, more than 68 degrees higher than what was registered in much of northern Greece. The extreme heat, combined with the strong winds and dust clouds, created challenging conditions for residents and authorities. Despite the adverse weather conditions, no significant damage or injuries were reported from the wildfires that broke out across the country.
The dust clouds blowing in from North Africa gave the skies over Athens a unique hue, adding to the already challenging conditions. The dust, carried by the strong southerly winds, created a surreal atmosphere in the Greek capital. However, as the winds shifted and the dust began to clear, temperatures were expected to decrease, providing some relief to residents and firefighters. The quick containment of the wildfires that broke out across the country was a positive sign for authorities and the local communities.
As Greece braces for what is expected to be a challenging fire season, efforts have been made to improve wildfire response plans and prepare for potential emergencies. With wildfires already breaking out in the country’s south due to unseasonal early blazes, it is crucial for authorities to be vigilant and ready to respond to any threats. The combination of extreme heat, dry conditions, and strong winds poses a significant risk for wildfires in Greece, and the country is taking steps to mitigate these risks and protect its residents and natural landscapes.
