Blazing Inferno Engulfs Outskirts of Greek Capital, Hundreds of Firefighters Mobilized

The wildfires in northern Athens have continued to rage uncontrollably, forcing evacuations and requiring international support. The flames, fueled by summer heatwaves, have consumed homes and left many areas cloaked in dense smoke.

ATHENS, Greece — A severe wildfire has ravaged the northern suburbs of Athens, leading to mass evacuations and overwhelming local firefighting resources. The fire began on Sunday afternoon and has since spread rapidly, driven by strong winds that make containment efforts difficult.

The scale of the fire has prompted Greece to seek assistance through Europe’s mutual civil protection mechanism. Several countries, including France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Spain, and Turkey, have pledged support, providing personnel, helicopters, and water-dropping planes.

The blaze has reached up to 25 meters (80 feet) in height at times, burning through dry pine forests and disrupting daily life across the city. Major power outages have affected traffic lights, adding to the chaos in the capital.

Despite the escalating situation, authorities reported no cases of residents being trapped, though 15 people were injured mainly due to smoke inhalation. Evacuation efforts are underway in multiple neighborhoods, with alerts sent via cellphone to warn people to leave their homes.

The situation is compounded by ongoing heatwaves that have made this summer particularly brutal. June and July recorded the highest temperatures ever in Greece, creating perilous conditions for the already strained firefighting units. Nikos Lavranos, head of the main firefighters’ union, described the relentless nature of their efforts saying, “Firefighters have been working at full tilt for months. They are exhausted.”

Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias described the fire as “exceptionally dangerous” and noted that it had been burning for more than 20 hours in difficult-to-reach mountainous regions northeast of Athens. Multiple fronts of the fire continue to pose significant challenges.

Authorities have evacuated hospitals, monasteries, and a children’s home. Residents like Spyros Gorilas have been desperate to save their homes, using water hoses to fend off the flames. “The smoke was suffocating; you couldn’t see,” he recounted.

With more than 40 flareups reported since early Monday, evacuation orders remain in place for additional suburbs of Athens. The fight against the fire involves 702 firefighters, 27 wildfire teams, and 80 armed forces personnel. Authorities have deployed over 190 vehicles, along with aerial support from 17 planes and 16 helicopters.

Three hospitals remain on high alert, providing care for injured firefighters and civilians, mostly affected by smoke. The unprecedented heat has led the Athens Medical Association to caution residents, especially those with chronic conditions, to stay safe.

The nearby port of Rafina has been closed, redirecting ferries to the port of Lavrion, and evacuees are being temporarily housed in sports halls and hotels. Over 380 police officers are assisting in evacuations, moving more than 250 people to safety by mid-morning on Monday.

Authorities emphasize the importance of following evacuation orders, as those who resist may later find themselves in peril. Meteorologists have indicated that the fire risk will remain high until Thursday, with half of Greece under a red alert for wildfire hazards.

Wildfires are a common issue in Greece’s hot, dry summers, exacerbated by climate change. Recent years have seen devastating fires, such as the one in Mati in 2018, which killed over 100 people. Last year’s wildfires claimed more than 20 lives, including 18 migrants trapped in northeastern Greece.

The current situation also mirrors the conditions in neighboring North Macedonia and Albania, both of which are grappling with widespread fires amid severe weather conditions. This crisis calls for unity and cooperation to bring it under control.