A large wildfire has spread through the suburbs of Athens, leading to thousands of residents being evacuated from their homes. Greece has asked for assistance from the European Union in fighting the fire, which started on a Saturday afternoon. Italy, France, the Czech Republic, and Romania are sending air and ground support to help Greece combat the flames. The extreme heatwave in Greece has exacerbated the situation, leading to a dire need for assistance. France, Italy, and the Czech Republic have already sent helicopters, firefighters, and vehicles to support Greek firefighters, with the promise of additional assistance from Spain and Turkey in the coming days.
The local residents in the affected areas have described the chaotic and dangerous conditions they faced as the fire threatened their homes. Spyros Gorilas, a resident of Dioni, recounted the suffocating smoke and changing winds that made it difficult to see and breathe. Another resident, Giannis Alvanos, who had previously lost his home to a fire, evacuated when ordered but returned via backroads to defend his property. Videos posted on social media show the skies around Athens turning yellow and large plumes of smoke in the distance. Wildfires are common in Greece during the hot, dry summer months, but experts warn that the climate crisis is making the fires more frequent and intense, with last year’s wildfires claiming over 20 lives.
The contributions from France, Italy, and the Czech Republic include helicopters, firefighting aircraft, firefighters, and vehicles to assist Greek firefighters in extinguishing the flames. The Greek national fire department spokesman described the wildfires as “exceptionally dangerous”, highlighting the urgent need for support. The rapidly spreading fire has prompted thousands of evacuations in the Attica region of Athens. The assistance from the EU countries is crucial in containing the fire and protecting the lives and properties of the affected residents.
As the crisis intensifies, Greece has called on the European Union to help combat the wildfires ravaging the suburbs of Athens. The activation of the Civil Protection Mechanism has led to support from Italy, France, the Czech Republic, and Romania in the form of air and ground support. The response from these countries includes firefighting aircraft, helicopters, firefighters, and vehicles to assist in extinguishing the flames. With additional assistance expected from Spain and Turkey in the coming days, the combined efforts of these nations are crucial in controlling the spread of the wildfires.
The local residents in the affected areas have been overwhelmed by the threat of the rapidly spreading fire. Accounts from residents describe the challenging conditions they faced as the fire approached their homes, with suffocating smoke and changing winds creating dangerous situations. Despite the evacuation orders, some residents, like Giannis Alvanos, returned to defend their properties, commending the firefighters for their quick response. The visuals shared on social media show the significant impact of the wildfires on the skies and the surrounding areas, emphasizing the urgent need for assistance and collaborative efforts to combat the fires effectively.
The ongoing wildfires in Greece serve as a stark reminder of the impact of the climate crisis, with experts warning that the changing climate is making wildfires more frequent and intense. The extreme heatwave in Greece has exacerbated the situation, making it even more challenging to control the fires. Last year, wildfires in Greece claimed over 20 lives, underscoring the need for proactive measures to prevent and mitigate the impact of wildfires. The support from the European Union countries and the anticipated aid from Spain and Turkey are crucial in addressing the immediate threat posed by the wildfires and protecting lives and properties in the affected regions.
