Wildfires rage in Greece and Turkey as extreme heat persists

Wildfires Ravage Greece and Turkey Amid Record-Breaking Heat

Greece is grappling with widespread wildfires triggered by an intense heatwave, with temperatures reaching 42.4°C in central parts of the country on Sunday. Firefighters are working tirelessly to contain blazes across multiple regions, particularly in the Peloponnese and on the islands of Evia, Kythira, and Crete. The extreme weather has created dangerous conditions, with high winds making firefighting efforts even more challenging.

Five Major Fronts Burn Uncontrolled
Despite some progress, five significant fire fronts remained active late Sunday. Authorities reported new evacuations as flames approached populated areas. The Greek fire brigade confirmed that emergency teams had engaged in an “all night battle” to bring the fires under control. Assistance was requested from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, including six firefighting aircraft to support national resources.

Turkey Breaks Heat Record Amid Fires
Neighboring Turkey is also struggling with wildfires, compounded by the country’s highest recorded temperature. On Saturday, the city of Silopi in southeastern Turkey reached 50.5°C, surpassing the previous national record. Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli warned that multiple regions were “going through risky times,” and he estimated that full containment might take several more days. A deadly fire earlier in the week in Eskisehir claimed the lives of ten people.

Fire in Karabuk Province Resists Control
In Turkey’s northern Karabuk province, a fire has burned for four days despite efforts to put it out. Authorities are also imposing water usage restrictions in some tourist hotspots such as Cesme on the west coast. These measures aim to reduce the strain on emergency resources and prevent further fire outbreaks.

Kythira Island Severely Damaged
On the Greek island of Kythira, a fire that ignited on Saturday morning in the village of Pitsinades spread rapidly. Officials estimate that about 20% of the island has been affected. Evacuation alerts were issued to several nearby villages, and over 60 firefighters are battling the flames, supported by helicopters and water-dropping aircraft.

Evia Sees Out-of-Control Blaze

In Evia, a fast-spreading wildfire near the town of Pissona spiraled out of control on Saturday. Six firefighters were hospitalized with burns and smoke inhalation. Multiple villages were left without electricity, and the situation remained critical by Sunday. Firefighters continued to battle flare-ups throughout the night with air support.

New Blaze Erupts in Messinia
Another fire emerged in Messinia’s Polithea area on Saturday and intensified later that day. Officials confirmed that the blaze caused significant damage to residential homes and farmlands. On Sunday, around 100 firefighters were assigned to contain the fire, which remained active in several locations.

Athens Suburbs Under Threat
In the Attica region surrounding Athens, a fire that started in Afidnes spread rapidly through residential areas such as Drosopigi, Kryoneri, and Agios Stefanos. Residents were forced to flee their homes, and although the main front has been contained, smaller flare-ups continue to pose a threat. Fire services remain on high alert in the capital region.

Crete Battles Widespread Destruction
On the island of Crete, firefighters are combating a massive 20-kilometer wildfire front in the Chania region. The fire has destroyed forests, beehives, farmland, and livestock. Strong southwesterly winds are hampering containment efforts, and several villages remain without electricity due to fire damage.

Ongoing Crisis Across Aegean Islands
Greece’s wildfire crisis continues across the Aegean. Last month, a blaze on Chios island destroyed over 4,700 hectares of land. Earlier in July, another wildfire in Crete forced the evacuation of 5,000 tourists. The increasing frequency and intensity of these fires underscore the growing threat of climate change in southern Europe.

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