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India Today
7 hours ago
- Climate
- India Today
Wildfire near Athens triggers evacuations and highway closures amid heatwave
A massive fire broke out south of Athens on Thursday, triggering emergency evacuations and roadblocks as blazes ravaged housing around the seaside town of Palaia closed sections of the scenic highway between the Greek capital and Sounion, which features the ancient Temple of Poseidon, a popular tourist FACES FIRST MAJOR HEATWAVE The fire broke out while Greece was experiencing its first heatwave of the summer, with temperatures close to 40C (104F). Firefighters fought the fire on the ground and in the air, struggling against the fierce heat and changing winds that made it difficult to ground and aerial forces are fighting an enormous battle with the fire, especially in residential areas," fire department spokesman Col. Vassilis Vathrakogiannis AND SEA FIREFIGHTING EFFORTS DEPLOYED As reported by the Associated Press, the firefighting effort involved 130 personnel, assisted by 12 helicopters, 12 water-dropping aircraft, and volunteer crews. A coast guard boat also sprayed sea water, with two patrol boats and nine private boats on standby for possible sea evacuations. Ambulances were placed on standby but had not been required by late authorities reported that homes were likely damaged, but assessing the extent of the damage was delayed. "Some houses could have been damaged, but we are awaiting confirmation," local mayor Dimitris Loukas said to state-owned ERT took 40 people out and ordered five areas to be evacuated. Parts of the Athens-Sounion coastal highway were closed in both directions. "We are asking residents to evacuate their homes immediately," said local councilor Apostolos the origin of the fire is yet to be confirmed, authorities have sent an arson investigation unit to the scene. The entire Athens region and some Aegean islands remain at Level 4 wildfire risk due to hot and dry conditions.A major fire on the island of Chios earlier this week took four days to bring under control. Greece has seen its share of catastrophic summer blazes the Mati fire in 2018 killed more than 100 people.- Ends
Powys County Times
9 hours ago
- Climate
- Powys County Times
Communities evacuated amid wildfire near Athens as heatwave hits Greece
A large wildfire has broken out south of Athens, prompting authorities to send phone alerts urging the evacuation of five communities near the blaze as temperatures approached 40C in Greece's first heatwave of the summer. About two dozen water-dropping planes and helicopters were providing air support to 130 firefighters battling the blaze in the Palaia Fokaia seaside area south of Athens, the fire department said. The fire, which reportedly broke out within a populated area, was fanned by strong winds, sending plumes of smoke fanning out across the sky. Television footage showed at least one home burning. Local mayor Dimitris Loukas said on Greece's state-run ERT television that several houses were believed to have been damaged by the blaze, but added that exact information on property destruction was not immediately available. The coastguard said two patrol boats and nine private vessels were on standby in the Palaia Fokaia area in case an evacuation by sea became necessary, while a lifeboat was also on its way. 'We're telling people to leave their homes,' local town councillor Apostolos Papadakis said on ERT. Parts of the coastal road connecting Athens to Sounion, location of the ancient temple of Poseidon and a major tourist attraction, were closed, with people urged to take other routes to evacuate the area. Fire department spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said 40 people had been evacuated by police, while evacuation orders were issued for a total of five areas. The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but the fire department spokesman said that an arson investigation unit had been sent to the area. The entire wider Athens area, as well as several Aegean islands, were on level four of a five-level scale for the danger of wildfires due to the weather conditions, with the heatwave expected to last until the weekend. Earlier in the week, hundreds of firefighters took four days to bring a major wildfire under control on the eastern Aegean island of Chios. More than a dozen evacuation orders had been issued for Chios, where the flames devoured forest and farmland. The fire department said one woman had been arrested on suspicion of having contributed to that fire's start — reportedly by discarding a cigarette. Wildfires are frequent in Greece during its hot, dry summers. In 2018, a massive fire swept through the seaside town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping people in their homes and on roads as they tried to flee. More than 100 died, including some who drowned trying to swim away from the flames.
Glasgow Times
10 hours ago
- Climate
- Glasgow Times
Communities evacuated amid wildfire near Athens as heatwave hits Greece
About two dozen water-dropping planes and helicopters were providing air support to 130 firefighters battling the blaze in the Palaia Fokaia seaside area south of Athens, the fire department said. The fire, which reportedly broke out within a populated area, was fanned by strong winds, sending plumes of smoke fanning out across the sky. Television footage showed at least one home burning. Local mayor Dimitris Loukas said on Greece's state-run ERT television that several houses were believed to have been damaged by the blaze, but added that exact information on property destruction was not immediately available. The coastguard said two patrol boats and nine private vessels were on standby in the Palaia Fokaia area in case an evacuation by sea became necessary, while a lifeboat was also on its way. A firefighting plane drops water while battling the blaze (Giorgos Delveroudis/AP) 'We're telling people to leave their homes,' local town councillor Apostolos Papadakis said on ERT. Parts of the coastal road connecting Athens to Sounion, location of the ancient temple of Poseidon and a major tourist attraction, were closed, with people urged to take other routes to evacuate the area. Fire department spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said 40 people had been evacuated by police, while evacuation orders were issued for a total of five areas. The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but the fire department spokesman said that an arson investigation unit had been sent to the area. The entire wider Athens area, as well as several Aegean islands, were on level four of a five-level scale for the danger of wildfires due to the weather conditions, with the heatwave expected to last until the weekend. Earlier in the week, hundreds of firefighters took four days to bring a major wildfire under control on the eastern Aegean island of Chios. More than a dozen evacuation orders had been issued for Chios, where the flames devoured forest and farmland. The fire department said one woman had been arrested on suspicion of having contributed to that fire's start — reportedly by discarding a cigarette. Wildfires are frequent in Greece during its hot, dry summers. In 2018, a massive fire swept through the seaside town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping people in their homes and on roads as they tried to flee. More than 100 died, including some who drowned trying to swim away from the flames.
Leader Live
12 hours ago
- Climate
- Leader Live
Communities evacuated amid wildfire near Athens as heatwave hits Greece
About two dozen water-dropping planes and helicopters were providing air support to 130 firefighters battling the blaze in the Palaia Fokaia seaside area south of Athens, the fire department said. The fire, which reportedly broke out within a populated area, was fanned by strong winds, sending plumes of smoke fanning out across the sky. Television footage showed at least one home burning. Local mayor Dimitris Loukas said on Greece's state-run ERT television that several houses were believed to have been damaged by the blaze, but added that exact information on property destruction was not immediately available. The coastguard said two patrol boats and nine private vessels were on standby in the Palaia Fokaia area in case an evacuation by sea became necessary, while a lifeboat was also on its way. 'We're telling people to leave their homes,' local town councillor Apostolos Papadakis said on ERT. Parts of the coastal road connecting Athens to Sounion, location of the ancient temple of Poseidon and a major tourist attraction, were closed, with people urged to take other routes to evacuate the area. Fire department spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said 40 people had been evacuated by police, while evacuation orders were issued for a total of five areas. The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but the fire department spokesman said that an arson investigation unit had been sent to the area. The entire wider Athens area, as well as several Aegean islands, were on level four of a five-level scale for the danger of wildfires due to the weather conditions, with the heatwave expected to last until the weekend. Earlier in the week, hundreds of firefighters took four days to bring a major wildfire under control on the eastern Aegean island of Chios. More than a dozen evacuation orders had been issued for Chios, where the flames devoured forest and farmland. The fire department said one woman had been arrested on suspicion of having contributed to that fire's start — reportedly by discarding a cigarette. Wildfires are frequent in Greece during its hot, dry summers. In 2018, a massive fire swept through the seaside town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping people in their homes and on roads as they tried to flee. More than 100 died, including some who drowned trying to swim away from the flames.
North Wales Chronicle
12 hours ago
- Climate
- North Wales Chronicle
Communities evacuated amid wildfire near Athens as heatwave hits Greece
About two dozen water-dropping planes and helicopters were providing air support to 130 firefighters battling the blaze in the Palaia Fokaia seaside area south of Athens, the fire department said. The fire, which reportedly broke out within a populated area, was fanned by strong winds, sending plumes of smoke fanning out across the sky. Television footage showed at least one home burning. Local mayor Dimitris Loukas said on Greece's state-run ERT television that several houses were believed to have been damaged by the blaze, but added that exact information on property destruction was not immediately available. The coastguard said two patrol boats and nine private vessels were on standby in the Palaia Fokaia area in case an evacuation by sea became necessary, while a lifeboat was also on its way. 'We're telling people to leave their homes,' local town councillor Apostolos Papadakis said on ERT. Parts of the coastal road connecting Athens to Sounion, location of the ancient temple of Poseidon and a major tourist attraction, were closed, with people urged to take other routes to evacuate the area. Fire department spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said 40 people had been evacuated by police, while evacuation orders were issued for a total of five areas. The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but the fire department spokesman said that an arson investigation unit had been sent to the area. The entire wider Athens area, as well as several Aegean islands, were on level four of a five-level scale for the danger of wildfires due to the weather conditions, with the heatwave expected to last until the weekend. Earlier in the week, hundreds of firefighters took four days to bring a major wildfire under control on the eastern Aegean island of Chios. More than a dozen evacuation orders had been issued for Chios, where the flames devoured forest and farmland. The fire department said one woman had been arrested on suspicion of having contributed to that fire's start — reportedly by discarding a cigarette. Wildfires are frequent in Greece during its hot, dry summers. In 2018, a massive fire swept through the seaside town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping people in their homes and on roads as they tried to flee. More than 100 died, including some who drowned trying to swim away from the flames.
