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A ferocious wildfire erupted on the outskirts of Athens on Sunday, August 11, 2024, rapidly engulfing forested areas and threatening suburbs of the Greek capital. The blaze, fueled by strong winds and parched conditions, has prompted mass evacuations and an international response.
The fire began in Varnavas, approximately 30 miles north of Athens, quickly spreading to multiple fronts. Greece's Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias described the situation as "extremely dangerous," with flames reaching heights of over 80 feet in some areas.
As of Monday afternoon, more than 600 firefighters were battling the inferno, supported by water-dropping aircraft. The Greek government activated the European Union's civil protection mechanism, with France, Italy, and the Czech Republic pledging assistance.
Evacuations have been ordered in at least a dozen communities, including the affluent suburb of Vrilissia. Dramatic footage showed residents fleeing in cars as flames lined nearby roads. A children's hospital, military hospital, and two monasteries were also evacuated.
The fire's rapid spread has been attributed to a combination of factors. Vassilios Vathrakogiannis, spokesman for the Greek fire service, noted that despite "superhuman efforts" overnight, the blaze spread "like lightning." Climate experts point to Greece's exceptionally dry winter and scorching summer as contributing to the tinderbox conditions.
While no casualties have been reported, the fire has already inflicted significant damage. Television images showed thick smoke blanketing parts of Athens, with residents attempting to douse flames from rooftops. The full extent of destruction to homes and forest land remains unclear.
This wildfire is one of the most severe to threaten Athens in recent years. It comes amid a busy fire season for Greece, with authorities placing several areas, including the capital, at "extreme fire risk" – the highest level in the country's five-tier warning system.
The incident has reignited discussions about climate change's role in exacerbating wildfire risks. June and July 2024 were the hottest months ever recorded in Greece, following the country's warmest winter on record. These conditions have stretched firefighting resources thin, with union leader Nikos Lavranos stating that firefighters are "exhausted" after months of continuous operations.
Authorities are urging residents to heed evacuation orders and remain vigilant. With forecasts predicting continued hot and dry conditions, the threat of further fire spread remains a pressing concern for Athens and its surrounding areas.
