On Saturday, three large wildfires raged across Greece, one of which threatened whole towns, and cut Evia, the country’s second-largest, in half. Others enveloped forested mountainsides and straddled ancient sites, leaving behind a trail that one official called “a biblical disaster.”
A flotilla consisting of ten ships, including 2 Coast Guard patrols and 2 ferries, and 2 passenger ships, waited at Pefki, a seaside resort near the northern tip Evia. The ships were ready to evacuate more people and tourists if necessary, a Coast Guard spokesperson told The Associated Press on the usual condition of anonymity.
After the flames threatened to cut off all other escape routes, the fire at Evia required the quick evacuation of approximately 1,400 people from Evia’s beachside village and islands by a motley crew of boats.
Other dangerous fires occurred in Greece’s southern Peloponnese Peninsula, near Ancient Olympia, and in the Mani region in the Peloponnese south of Sparta. In a sudden flare up Saturday afternoon, the fire at Eastern Olympia spread eastward from the ancient site, threatening nearby villages.
North of Athens the Mount Parnitha fire, a large forest-rich national park, was still raging with occasional flare ups. However, a Fire Service spokesperson told the AP late on Saturday that containment efforts are “going well.”
The smoke from the fire was still spreading throughout the Athens basin. The blaze had already sent thick smoke through Athens, and authorities established a hotline to assist residents suffering from breathing difficulties.
Friday’s firefighter volunteer was killed. At least 20 others were treated in hospitals during the heat wave that swept through Greece over the past week. Temperatures rose to 45° Celsius (113° Fahrenheit).
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek Prime Minister, visited Athens’ headquarters for fire fighting and expressed his sadness at the loss of a firefighter.
He stated that securing assistance for all those affected by wildfires would be his first priority, promising that all areas burned would be replanted.
Mitsotakis stated, “When this nightmare summer is over, we will focus all our attention on repairing the damage as quickly as possible and in restoring nature’s natural environment again.”
Mani’s local official estimated that the wildfire had decimated 70% of her property.
It’s a biblical disaster. “We’re talking about three quarters of the municipality,” East Mani Deputy mayor Eleni Drakoulakou stated to state broadcaster ERT, pleading with for more water-dropping planes.
Others from southern Greece called TV programs to request more firefighting assistance.
Greece asked for assistance through the European Union’s Emergency Support System. France, Spain and Ukraine sent firefighters and planes from France, Spain and Ukraine.
Germany’s Disaster Assistance agency posted on Saturday that 52 firefighters, 17 vehicles from Bonn, 164 firefighters, and 27 vehicles hailing from Hessen were headed to Athens. Egypt claimed it would send two helicopters while 36 Czech firefighters, with 15 vehicles, left for Greece.
Investigators are investigating the causes of the fires. Three individuals were arrested in Athens, central and south Greece, on Friday, for allegedly starting fires in two cases.
Greek and European officials also have blamed climate change for the large number of fires burning through southern Europe, from southern Italy to the Balkans, Greece and Turkey.
Eight people were killed in fires that swept across Turkey’s southern coast over the past 10 days. Although 217 fires were contained in Turkey’s country’s northern provinces by the top forestry official, six fires were still being fought in two provinces.
Although some fires seemed to have been under control in Turkey’s Mugla province, which is a popular tourist destination, the forestry minister stated that there were still blazes in the Milas region. Environmental groups called on authorities to protect Sandras Mountain’s forests from fires nearby.
Turkish media reported that at least six areas were evacuated in the north due to a wildfire, which occurred in western Aydin province. Shifty winds made it difficult for containment efforts, and forced residents from their homes.
Antalya’s municipal officials said that a wildfire was still raging around the Eynif Plain, where wild horses are found, which is on Turkey’s Mediterranean Coast.
For weeks, massive fires have also been burning in Siberia, northern Russia. This has forced the evacuation of 12 villages on Saturday. Russia has seen wildfires erupt on nearly 15 million acres in total this year.
In the United States, hot, bone-dry, gusty weather has also fueled devastating wildfires in California.
