Residents Flee as Wildfire Rages Near Athens Amid Relentless Heatwave

Residents of Varnavas, a town north of Athens, were forced to flee their homes on Sunday as a massive wildfire swept through the area, fueled by strong winds and scorching temperatures. Flames, some reaching up to 25 meters (80 feet) high, engulfed houses and properties, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

The fire brigade reported that firefighters were working tirelessly to evacuate residents trapped by the flames. A convoy of 20 to 25 vehicles attempting to escape the inferno was also escorted to safety by emergency services.

Since Saturday afternoon, Greece has been battling 40 wildfires, with seven still raging out of control. The situation has been exacerbated by the country’s ongoing heatwave, which has brought record-breaking temperatures throughout June and July.

Vassilis Kikilias, Greece’s Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister, issued a dire warning about the continued threat posed by the extreme weather conditions. “We are facing a very dangerous situation. The combination of high temperatures and strong winds is creating an extremely volatile environment,” he said.

By Sunday evening, the wildfire in Varnavas had already scorched 100 square kilometers of land. Authorities issued an urgent evacuation order for residents in Varnavas and the nearby town of Grammatiko, urging them to leave immediately for their safety.

Fire Brigade spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakogiannis emphasized the critical nature of the situation, noting that winds of up to 46 mph (8 Beaufort scale) were rapidly spreading the fire. “The fire is advancing toward Marathon Lake, and we are concentrating our efforts on controlling its flanks. In some areas, the flames are higher than 25 meters,” he said.

A formidable force of 165 firefighters, supported by nine ground teams, 30 vehicles, seven firefighting aircraft, and five helicopters, has been deployed to combat the blaze. However, the strong winds have severely hindered the effectiveness of aerial firefighting efforts.

As night fell, the battle against the fire showed no signs of abating, with firefighters expected to work through the night under challenging conditions. Medical centers and hospitals in Athens were placed on high alert, as parts of the capital were enveloped in a cloud of brown smoke, a stark reminder of the ongoing crisis.