Latest news with #GreekFireBrigade
The Guardian
03-07-2025
- Climate
- The Guardian
More than 1,500 people evacuated in Crete due to wildfire as Europe's heatwave continues
Update: Date: 2025-07-03T07:43:39.000Z Title: Morning opening: Heatwave continues with wildfire warnings in place Content: More than 1,500 people were evacuated from hotels and homes overnight on Crete as firefighters are fighting a fast-spreading wildfire on the southern coast of the Greek island. Over 230 firefighters are involved fighting multiple outbreaks posing a 'very difficult' overall picture for the emergency services, the Greek fire brigade said in an update on Thursday morning. A separate fire broke out in Halkidiki region of Greece, with 160 firefighters and 49 vehicles involved in emergency response, the fire service said. The service warned that the country was entering 'the most difficult month of the fire season,' with strong winds contributing to their spread. Separate wildfires were reported in Germany, where at least two were seriously injured and over 100 evacuated in a forest fire in Saxony, and in Spain. The fires come as Europe continues to face extreme weather conditions, with Spain, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and Croatia all expected to report temperatures in mid-30s today. I will bring you all the latest here. It's Thursday, 2 July 2025, it's Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live. Good morning.
Irish Times
03-07-2025
- Irish Times
Crete: Greek firefighters battle wildfire as some areas evacuated
Greek firefighters on Wednesday battled a blaze that raged on the popular vacation destination of Crete, burning forest land, threatening homes and prompting the evacuation of residents and tourists from at least four settlements on the island. At least 155 firefighters, assisted by 38 engines and water trucks, battled the flames in the municipality of Ierapetra at the southeastern coast of the country's largest island, the Greek fire brigade service said. The blaze, which broke out in the afternoon, was charged by gale force winds that hindered firefighting efforts and rekindled its fronts. More reinforcements were on their way by boat and aircraft from Athens, the fire brigade said. 'It is a very difficult fire and it is still in progress,' a fire brigade official told Reuters on condition of anonymity, attributing the difficulty of the operation to the strong winds and the type of terrain. READ MORE Local TV stations reported that some homes had been damaged. So far, there were no reports of injuries. Authorities had earlier ordered the evacuation of Achlia and three more settlements in the wider area. About 3,000 people, who had earlier evacuated villages, were taken to temporary shelters, local officials said. Greece, situated at Europe's southernmost tip, is often hit by wildfires during its hot and dry summers but authorities have blamed a fast-changing climate for fuelling more destructive blazes in recent years. On Wednesday evening, Greek firefighters were also trying to tame a wildfire on the island of Kythira and another blaze in the northern region of Chalkidiki which raged uncontrolled. - Reuters
Reuters
03-07-2025
- Climate
- Reuters
Greek firefighters battle wildfire on island of Crete
ATHENS, July 2 (Reuters) - Greek firefighters on Wednesday battled a blaze that raged on the popular vacation destination of Crete, burning forest land, threatening homes and prompting the evacuation of residents and tourists from at least four settlements on the island. At least 155 firefighters, assisted by 38 engines and water trucks, battled the flames in the municipality of Ierapetra at the southeastern coast of the country's largest island, the Greek fire brigade service said. The blaze, which broke out in the afternoon, was charged by gale force winds that hindered firefighting efforts and rekindled its fronts. More reinforcements were on their way by boat and aircraft from Athens, the fire brigade said. "It is a very difficult fire and it is still in progress," a fire brigade official told Reuters on condition of anonymity, attributing the difficulty of the operation to the strong winds and the type of terrain. Local TV stations reported that some homes had been damaged. So far, there were no reports of injuries. Authorities had earlier ordered the evacuation of Achlia and three more settlements in the wider area. About 3,000 people, who had earlier evacuated villages, were taken to temporary shelters, local officials said. Greece, situated at Europe's southernmost tip, is often hit by wildfires during its hot and dry summers but authorities have blamed a fast-changing climate for fuelling more destructive blazes in recent years. On Wednesday evening, Greek firefighters were also trying to tame a wildfire on the island of Kythira and another blaze in the northern region of Chalkidiki which raged uncontrolled.
The Independent
23-06-2025
- The Independent
Greece wildfires: Dozens evacuated as flames ravage holiday island
Wildfires fanned by strong winds are continuing to rage across the Greek island of Chios for a second consecutive day, prompting authorities to evacuate more villages. Some 190 firefighters, supported by six aircraft, are engaged in efforts to contain the blazes in the northeastern Aegean Sea. Their primary objective is to prevent the flames from reaching residential areas and regions vital for the production of mastiha, a natural resin harvested from mastic trees. However, their efforts have been significantly complicated by strong gusts of wind throughout Monday, according to a Greek fire brigade official. The fires have already consumed swathes of forest and pasture land, forcing dozens of villagers to flee their homes for safety. The widespread destruction has also led to power cuts. Sitting at Europe's hot southernmost tip, Greece has felt the economic and environmental impact of frequent wildfires in recent years that scientists say have been exacerbated by a fast-changing climate. The country has spent hundreds of millions of euros to compensate households and farmers for damage related to extreme weather and acquire new and modern firefighting equipment to deal with wildfires. It has hired a record number of firefighters this year in anticipation of a difficult fire season. Last week, a wildfire raging through a dense forest near Ano Souli, a village northeast of Athens, prompted evacuation orders as dozens of Greek firefighters battled to bring the blaze under control. Around 120 firefighters, supported by 17 aircraft and 30 engines, were deployed to the village, which is located approximately 25 miles from the Greek capital. Earlier this year it was reported that Athens is the hottest capital in continental Europe. It saw record temperatures in 2024, a situation that is becoming the new normal. The Mediterranean as a whole is warming faster than the global average. With travel booming to Greece, authorities predict Athens will welcome a record 10 million visitors this year. Those arriving in July and August will face even more extreme temperatures, the national meteorological service predicts, creating a perfect combination of tourism and scorching weather.
Reuters
23-06-2025
- Climate
- Reuters
Firefighters battle wildfires on Greece's Chios island for second day
ATHENS, June 23 (Reuters) - Dozens of firefighters battled to tame wildfires fanned by strong winds on the Greek island of Chios in the northeastern Aegean Sea for a second day on Monday as authorities evacuated more villages. Some 190 firefighters assisted by six aircraft were trying to contain the blazes and keep them away from homes and areas known for their production of mastiha, a natural resin harvested from mastic trees. Gusts of wind on Monday complicated efforts to extinguish the wildfires which have burnt forest and pasture land, forced dozens of villagers to flee their homes for safety and caused power cuts, a Greek fire brigade official told Reuters on condition of anonymity on Monday. Sitting at Europe's hot southernmost tip, Greece has felt the economic and environmental impact of frequent wildfires in recent years that scientists say have been exacerbated by a fast-changing climate. The country has spent hundreds of millions of euros to compensate households and farmers for damage related to extreme weather and acquire new and modern firefighting equipment to deal with wildfires. It has hired a record number of firefighters this year in anticipation of a difficult fire season.
