Wildfires Threaten Greece as Extreme Heat and High Winds Raise Alarm
Parts of Greece are on high alert as a combination of scorching temperatures and strong winds loom, putting them at a higher risk of more destructive wildfires.
The situation has prompted the issuance of extreme fire risk warnings for various regions in southern Greece, particularly around Athens. The capital has been enduring blazing hot temperatures throughout the summer, and this week, the mercury is predicted to flirt with the 40-degree Celsius mark (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
The weekend saw the outbreak of numerous fires, leading to the evacuation of thousands of residents from affected areas. One of the most concerning fire fronts is situated near Alexandroupoli, a port city close to the northeastern border shared with Turkey. This particular blaze has been raging for several days, leading to the evacuation of 13 communities near the city. Greece’s fire service released a statement explaining that this move was taken “for the safety of the citizens.”
Other fires have erupted in the eastern Rhodope region and the northern city of Kavala. In response to the escalating situation, France, Cyprus, and Romania have dispatched reinforcements to assist Greek firefighters in their efforts.
Tragically, there is at least one reported fatality linked to these recent fires. According to local reports, an 80-year-old man collapsed while attempting to rescue his sheep from the flames in the central Boeotia region, located to the north of Athens.
While wildfires are a common occurrence in Greece during the summer months, scientists have increasingly tied the growing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including heatwaves, to the overarching effects of climate change.
Only last month, a spate of wildfires broke out on the Greek island of Rhodes and in other parts of the nation, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes. This led Janez Lenarčič, the EU’s Commissioner for Crisis Management, to remark, “Greece already had by far its worst July since 2008 in terms of wildfires.”
The spokesperson for Greece’s fire service, Ioannis Artophios, conveyed that the country is grappling with “extreme phenomena” and stressed the importance of adapting to this challenging situation.
Greece is just one of several European countries currently facing an extreme risk of wildfires, as per the EU’s climate monitoring service, Copernicus. Meanwhile, firefighting crews on the Spanish island of Tenerife have been combating a fire for nearly a week. Fortunately, local authorities believe that the worst part of the ordeal is now behind them. This fire has already consumed thousands of acres of land and prompted the evacuation of over 12,000 individuals, according to the regional government.
Parts of southern France are also bracing for potentially record-breaking heat in the days ahead. Some areas, such as the Rhone valley, are expected to see temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
By: M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed
