Several devastating forest fires broke out in Greece, the authorities evacuated residents from the affected areas.
Greek firefighters fought several forest fires in the country on Saturday and some areas had to evacuate the local authorities there. Temperatures have climbed to 45 degrees Celsius and this week’s heat wave should continue until Monday, TASR reports based on Reuters and AFP reports.
On Saturday, the authorities warned against the extreme risk of developing forest fires and, for heat and drought, declared the highest level of emergency in several regions.
According to firefighters, one of the worst fires broke out in the region of Ata – in the village of Drosopigi about 30 kilometers from Athens. State TV ERT said they started to burn two houses. There are also factories with flammable materials and Reuters informed that the village could be heard explosions. According to the agency, about 65 firefighters, helicopters, 26 vehicles and two aircraft were deployed to extinguish the fire.
The fire also broke out on the island of Eubóy, where it tried to extinguish 115 firefighters with the help of 24 vehicles, six aircraft and seven helicopters. The work complained to them by strong winds. According to AFP, two firefighters were taken to the hospital for minor injuries.
In the agricultural and forest area of the island of Kythéra, a fire broke out on Saturday afternoon. Strong wind caused its rapid spread and the authorities ordered the evacuation of several villages.
Referring to the National Observatory in Athens, AFP reported that the highest measured temperature on Saturday reached 45.2 degrees Celsius.
Reuters recalls that Greece and other Mediterranean countries are found in an area that scientists call the “fireplace of forest fires”. In recent years, fires in this area have become even more devastating mainly due to the rapidly changing climate.
