The East Attica Fire burning near Greece’s capital city of Athens triggered the evacuation of thousands across the region.
The fire started burning Sunday near the northeast city of Marathon before rapidly spreading southward toward Athens overnight, according to the Hellenic Republic’s Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection.
In response to the spread, Ministry officials ordered all structures in the Eastern Attica region to prepare for possible evacuation. More than 500,000 people live in the region and are under the order.
“A total of 685 firefighters, supported by 27 forest commando teams, 190 vehicles, and volunteers, are operating with the assistance of all Civil Protection agencies,” Fire Colonel Vassilios Vathrakogiannis said early Monday morning. “Additionally, more than 40 flare-ups have been recorded within the perimeter of the fire since the early morning hours today.”
Any fighting against the fire is expected to be extremely difficult on Monday and Tuesday, the ministry said. Winds up to 38 mph have already gusted in the area, and forecasters warn of “very high” fire risk, the region’s second-highest warning level, on Tuesday.
The elevated wildfire danger isn’t unprecedented. Researchers previously warned Greece and other areas in Southern Europe earlier this year to prepare for an intense wildfire season. Data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) showed elevated forest fire risk across the region caused by increased drought and rising global temperatures, driven by humans burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and increased animal agriculture land usage.
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“The General Secretariat of Civil Protection recommends that citizens be especially careful and avoid actions in the open air that can cause a fire by negligence, such as burning dry grass and branches or cleaning residues, the use of machines that cause sparks such as circular saws, welding devices, the use of outdoor grills, smoking bees, throwing lit cigarettes, etc. Also, it is recalled that during the fire protection season burning of fields is prohibited,” the ministry said.
