Athens suburb residents told to evacuate as wildfires in Greece spread

According to the Greek Fire Service, a wildfire that has reportedly burned through a northern suburb of Athens has caused some residents to flee.

According to Fire Service spokesman Vassilis Vathrakoyannis, residents of the town of Kryoneri, which is located 20 kilometers (12. 5 miles) northeast of Athens, received three text messages on Saturday as they drove to safe locations.

“Damages have been reported. When the fires are extinguished, the spokesperson said, “We will take stock.”

Houses were depicted in Greek media.

According to Vathrakoyannis, “the real difficulties are ahead of us,” adding that Greece requested six firefighting planes from the Civil Protection Mechanism of the European Union.

The fire, whose origin is unknown, is being put out by 145 firefighters, 44 fire engines, 10 firefighting planes, and seven helicopters on-site. At least five residents, the majority elderly and suffering from respiratory issues, are being treated by four ambulances.

The flames are being fanned by high winds, dry conditions, and temperatures exceeding 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit).

According to Vathrakoyannis, wildfires “expand very quickly and become dangerous” under such circumstances, which are expected to persist in the upcoming days.

In addition to the two largest islands in southwest Greece, Crete in the south and Evia north of Athens, and Kythera on the island of Kythera in the northwest of the island.

Although only operating during daytime, there are at least 335 firefighters, 19 aircraft, and 13 helicopters. According to the spokesperson, 52 wildfires have erupted nationwide in the past 24 hours.

In recent years, wildfires have become a common sight in Greece, many of which are very destructive. In the last month, several incidents occurred.

In recent years, scientists have noticed a rise in the frequency of heatwaves and dry conditions in the world.

During a heatwave in southern Europe, the temperature reached 42 degrees Celsius (107 degrees Fahrenheit) last month.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the fire season begins earlier and ends later because of warmer temperatures, drier weather, and rural areas’ growing urbanization.