Firefighters scramble to contain fires outside Athens before winds and high temperatures return
Fire crews used a lull in winds to strengthen containment lines as more than 1,000 people were evacuated and 33 arrests were reported.
- On Tuesday, firefighters west of Athens contained several wildfires using water drops and ground crews, though officials warn that rising temperatures and stronger gusts could return in the coming days.
- The Athens blaze was blamed on a faulty wind farm power line, while authorities reported 33 arrests between June 29 and Aug 2 for starting fires, mostly involving negligence like prohibited welding.
- Costas Tsingas, head of the Greek Firefighters Association, warned that the area holds a "huge fire load" as army earth-movers carved fire breaks and specialist units extinguished smoldering embers.
- More than 1,000 people were evacuated from Porto Germeno and surrounding areas, with over 250 rescued by boats; the fire remained contained on Monday as thousands returned.
- Prolonged heat waves across Europe have left France tinder-dry, fueling massive blazes that scorched about 420 square kilometers and forced the evacuation of more than 224,000 people near Bordeaux.
21 Articles
21 Articles
When the flames were pushed by an infernal wind towards the village of Mati, east of Athens, it was too late. The fire had become of uncontrolled proportions, and the town a town with just 200 inhabitants all year round but more than 1,000 the summer became a mousetrap: to the west and north, the fire that ran. To the southeast, a coast of rocks and mountains. Continue reading....
More than 520 firefighters, 130 trucks and about 20 aircraft concentrate their efforts on extinguishing scattered smoke points near the Liakoto settlement, located 35 kilometres from the capital.
Firefighters in Greece gain ground against wildfires near Athens
Easing winds on the northwestern outskirts of Athens allowed firefighters in Greece to gain ground against a wildfire that had been burning for five consecutive days near the coastal village of Psatha, the fire service said. The greater Athens region has been placed under near-maximum fire risk for Wednesday, according to the civil protection ministry.
Firefighters remain in the area to bring the fire under control.
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