Greece wildfires: Blazes threaten Athens homes as 1,000 in Crete forced to flee
©Reuters
Firefighters battled a blaze yesterday on the island of Crete that scorched forests and olive groves and forced over 1,000 people to evacuate, while a fresh conflagration near Athens threatened homes, highlighting Greece's vulnerability to wildfire risks.
Gale-force winds and aridity made for tinderbox conditions, hampering Greek authorities' efforts to tame the fires, as much of Europe baked in an early summer heatwave linked to the deaths of at least eight people.
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RTÉ News
a day ago
- RTÉ News
Wildfire on Greek island of Crete 'retreating'
A wildfire on the Greek island of Crete that forced the evacuation of 5,000 tourists and locals is "retreating", firefighters have said. Some 230 firefighters and six helicopters are still at the scene near the resort town of Ierapetra, where 3,000 visitors had to leave their hotels and guest houses on Wednesday evening. "The fire is retreating," fire department spokesman Vassilios Vathrakoyannis told AFP. "There are still fears of flare-ups, but there is no longer a major front," he added. Scattered hot spots still remain and firefighters are dealing with several smoke-filled areas from which flare-ups have restarted, the fire department told the ANA press agency. However, weakening winds in the hard-to-reach area have improved the situation, firefighters said. Another blaze fanned by strong winds that broke out near the port of Rafina, about 30km east of Athens, was brought under control yesterday evening, the authorities said. However with the wildfire not far from Athens International Airport, fire crews remain on alert with winds still strong. The fire, which led to the evacuation of 300 people, destroyed a few houses and vehicles, the local mayor Dimitris Markou told public broadcaster ERT. It also disrupted ferries to and from tourist islands in the western Aegean, including Mykonos. Greece has so far been spared from the heatwave roasting parts of Europe, particularly Spain, Portugal and France. But starting this weekend, temperatures will rise and reach up to 43C in some areas of the country. Hot dry weather is not unusual for Greece at this time of year, with the heightened risk of devastating wildfires that have plagued the country in recent years.
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Greece wildfires: Blazes threaten Athens homes as 1,000 in Crete forced to flee
Tourists among those evacuated as strong winds fan flames ©Reuters Firefighters battled a blaze yesterday on the island of Crete that scorched forests and olive groves and forced over 1,000 people to evacuate, while a fresh conflagration near Athens threatened homes, highlighting Greece's vulnerability to wildfire risks. Gale-force winds and aridity made for tinderbox conditions, hampering Greek authorities' efforts to tame the fires, as much of Europe baked in an early summer heatwave linked to the deaths of at least eight people.
The Journal
2 days ago
- The Journal
Crete wildfire forces 5,000 to evacuate as extreme heat claims more lives across Europe
WILDFIRES ACROSS EUROPE caused by ongoing heatwaves have caused a number of evacuations, injuries and deaths as temperatures continue to exceed 40C in several regions. In Greece, an estimated 5,000 people were evacuated from a town on the island of Crete after fires broke out last night. Hundreds of firefighters are currently tackling the blaze. Two firefighters have been injured and over 100 people evacuated due to ongoing wildfires in Germany. A man died in Turkey as three villages were evacuated as two wildfires broke out near Izmir, Turkey's third-largest city. Scientists have warned that heatwaves and wildfires are becoming more common and lasting longer as a result of climate change. Germany In Germany, nearly 500 firefighters are battling the fires that broke out on Tuesday in the town of Gohrischheide on the border between the eastern states of Saxony and Brandenburg. A police car blocks off the road in a forest fire area in Gohrischheide, Germany. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Two firefighters have suffered burns and were seriously injured battling the blaze so far. The fires have burned hundreds of hectares, and are still not under control today. A state police helicopter equipped with special cameras to detect pockets of embers has been deployed, German news agency dpa reported. Firefighters were having difficulty getting close to the flames because parts of the wildfires were in a former military training area where there is a risk of ammunition detonating. Flames from a forest and vegetation fire in the area. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The villages of Heidehauser and Neudorf and parts of the village of Lichtensee were evacuated. Residents received mobile phone alerts directing them to only take essentials, especially identification and cash. The notice advised them to inform neighbours and 'cover your mouth and nose with improvised respiratory protection (cloth, piece of clothing, surgical mask)'. District officials called on people travelling by car to avoid the region. Severe heat in Germany and elsewhere across Europe in recent days has plagued residents and led to several wildfires across the continent. Greece On the Greek island of Crete, an estimated 5,000 people, including residents and tourists, have been evacuated from their homes today amid ongoing wildfires. Advertisement About 3,000 tourists and 2,000 residents had been moved, mostly overnight, as a 'precaution' from areas close to the Crete resort town of Ierapetra, local officials said. Wildfires continue to burn near the town of Ierapetra on the Greek island of Crete. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Around 270 firefighters, some deployed from Athens, as well as 10 helicopters and drones, are attempting to contain the blaze which broke out yesterday evening on the southeastern coast of the island. Residents and tourists were taking shelter at an indoor stadium and some had left Crete by boat, authorities said. Local media reported some homes had been damaged. Like the rest of Crete, Ierapetra – a seaside resort with a permanent population of 23,000 – accommodates thousands of tourists in the summer. The island's arid, uneven landscape, criss-crossed by gullies, makes it hard for firefighters to tackle blazes. Turkey In Turkey, two wildfires broke out near Izmir, Turkey's third city. In each case, three villages were evacuated. A view of a fire that started in Menemen district of Izmir. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo 'An elderly, bedridden patient could not be saved,' Salih Uzun, a lawmaker in Izmir for the opposition CHP party, said of the blaze close to Odemis. 'The biggest problem is the wind speed of up to 85 kilometres per hour (53 miles per hour) which is causing the fire to spread very quickly. And it constantly changes direction,' Izmir governor Suleyman Elban said. 'So the intervention from both land and air is seriously challenging,' he told reporters, saying the flames had cut off the main highway from Izmir city. In both places, a total of 'nine planes, 22 helicopters and 1,100 (fire trucks and other) vehicles are intensively fighting the fires'. A fire rages across a forest area in Cesme, near Izmir, Turkey. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo He said both fires in the province, as well as other that began at the weekend and have been brought under control, 'were caused by power cables'. Citing forestry ministry figures, meteorologist Ismail Kucuk told AFP '90 percent of forest fires' were due to man-made causes. Power cables in particular posed a risk if they were not properly maintained, he said. Experts say human-driven climate change is causing more frequent and more intense wildfires and other natural disasters, and have warned Turkey to take measures to tackle the problem. With reporting from AFP Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
