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Wildfire Today

Category: Greece

Wildfire near Athens triggers evacuation warnings for +500,000 residents

Author Hunter BasslerPosted on Categories Evacuations, Greece, WildfireLeave a comment on Wildfire near Athens triggers evacuation warnings for +500,000 residents

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.

Hellenic Republic’s Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection

“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.

READ MORE: ‘Extreme’ Crete wildfire forces evacuations of villages

“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.

East Attica Fire Google Maps image
Google Maps

‘Extreme’ Crete wildfire forces evacuations of villages

Author Hunter BasslerPosted on Categories Crete, Drought, Greece, WildfireLeave a comment on ‘Extreme’ Crete wildfire forces evacuations of villages

A rapidly spreading wildfire triggered evacuations in central Crete Wednesday afternoon, according to the European Union’s Space Program.

The program’s Earth observation satellite, Copernicus, was activated on Thursday to assist emergency management services on the fire. An initial rough estimation, fire extent, and damage assessment will reportedly be published on Friday.

Police are conducting door-to-door checks in the village of Agia Paraskevi with a focus on evacuating elderly residents, according to  Copernicus’ situational report.

Copernicus Fire Danger Forecast

“The fire in Rethymno, Crete, which started around noon, has spread to three fronts,” the report read. “The fire spread rapidly due to strong winds and threatened the village of Agia Paraskevi. The residents of Agia Paraskevi had to be evacuated and a 112 message was sent out. 61 vehicles with 110 firefighters, 85 ground personnel, 6 helicopters, and 4 airplanes were used to fight the fire, supported by municipal vehicles/machinery and volunteer organizations.”

Numerous other 112 evacuation alerts were sent to other communities near Agia Paraskevi Thursday morning, including Rizikas, Sata, Apodoulou, Platanos, and Vathiakou.

Fire officials told the Athens daily newspaper Kathimerini that the wildfire is difficult to control after spreading into ravines, and because local firefighting services are strained from battling 28 other active wildfires on the island.

Researchers warned Greece and other areas in Southern Europe to prepare for an intense wildfire season at the beginning of July. 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.

“According to the seasonal forecast from EFFIS, the Balkans, Greece, and southern France will likely have a hot summer with relatively little precipitation,” said Dr Johannes Kaiser from the Norwegian Institute for Air Research’s Department of Atmosphere and Climate. “What is certain is that human, ecologic and economic costs from wildfires only can be reduced if adequate emergency prevention, response, and recovery measures are implemented in a sustainable and regionally adapted manner.”