Credit: mulf/Flickr
13 August 2024
Athens suburbs face urgent evacuations as wildfires rage near the Greek capital
A massive wildfire north of Athens has forced the evacuation of multiple suburbs, threatening lives and property as firefighters battle to contain the blaze.
In short:
- More than 670 firefighters and 30 aircraft have been deployed to combat wildfires threatening areas north of Athens.
- Evacuations include a children’s hospital, military clinic, and several towns, with the fire spreading rapidly despite efforts.
- Greece’s record-high temperatures and strong winds are fueling the fires, with climate change cited as a significant factor.
Key quote:
“Civil protection forces battled hard throughout the night, but despite superhuman efforts, the fire evolved rapidly.”
— Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, fire department spokesman
Why this matters:
As temperatures rise and dry conditions persist, these blazes are becoming more frequent and severe, putting lives, health, and entire ecosystems at risk. For families and healthcare workers in Greece, it's a nightmare scenario, one that’s becoming all too familiar. Read more: How do wildfires impact your health?
