Media: Greece on fire again with at least 81 blazes roaring across country

Α Decrease font Enlarge font
Media: Greece on fire again with at least 81 blazes roaring across countryAuthorities issued evacuation orders for at least six seaside communities

Successive days of more than 100-degree heat and winds picking up have led to dozens of wildfires in Greece again, two years after conflagrations roared across the country and led to bolstering the response capability.

While tourists wilted in heat that could hit 109-113 degrees by the July 22-23 weekend, and the Acropolis was closed in the afternoons over the danger of baking rocks and no shade, the fires presented another danger.

At least one was set, with reports that a foreign national not named had been apprehended for arson over a blaze near the northern part of the capital Athens and the fire service reporting at least 81 fires being battled, said FRANCE24.

“We have been seeing evacuations of people, of animals; property damaged as well as unfortunately many animals dying,” the news service’s correspondent said of the extent of the fires.

Wildfires outside Athens forced thousands to flee seaside resorts, closed highways, and gutted vacation homes, as high winds pushed flames through hillside scrub and pine forests parched by days of extreme heat.

Authorities issued evacuation orders for at least six seaside communities as two major wildfires edged closer to summer resort towns and gusts of wind hit 70 kilometers (45 miles) per hour, whipping flames through whole swathes.

The Army, police special forces, and volunteer rescuers freed retirees from their homes, rescued horses from a stable, and helped monks flee a monastery threatened by the flames.

Water-dropping planes and helicopters tackled the flames near Lagonisi, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of the capital, and a second major fire broke out in the wooded area near the resort town of Loutraki, some 90 kilometers (55 miles) west of Athens, where a children’s summer camp and rehabilitation center for seniors were evacuated, local officials said.

Fire Service spokesman Yiannis Artopios said the strong and changeable winds and mountainous terrain in which both fires broke out were slowing the firefighting effort under extreme conditions.

“The conditions are changing constantly and this has to be matched by our response. We have ordered multiple evacuations,” he said. The evacuees gathered along the coastline or were put up in schools and hotels, while coast guard vessels were dispatched to the smoke-heavy beachfront to assist if needed.

THE FLAMES OF WIND

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had said the risk of wildfires rising again would make them “extremely difficult” to deal with although in his first term, he had added water-dropping aircraft and other resources, including firefighters.

“We have always had wildfires and we always will have them. But with the effects of the climate crisis, we are experiencing fires with increasing intensity,” Mitsotakis said despite adding more resources.

Read more at thenationalherald.com

RELATED TOPICS: GreeceGreek tourism newsTourism in GreeceGreek islandsHotels in GreeceTravel to GreeceGreek destinationsGreek travel marketGreek tourism statisticsGreek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: MaxxL

Tornos
  1. 21/11 21:59

    Greek Education Minister highlights university internationalization in Macedonia visit

  2. 20/11 22:21

    Ambassador to Athens: Sharp hike in American students choosing to study in Greece

  3. 20/11 22:09

    The Economist too foresees Athens Parthenon Marbles return to Greece

  4. 20/11 22:03

    Greek PM: Justice reforms strengthen rule of law and modernize infrastructure

  5. 20/11 18:06

    EIB chief to visit Greece to discuss new investment initiatives

  6. 20/11 14:17

    Investors express keen interest in auction for reopening of 10-year Greek bond

  7. 19/11 01:16

    Calls for mass participation in Greece's general strike on Wednesday

  8. 19/11 01:08

    37th Panorama of European Cinema from November 21-27 at four theaters in Athens

  9. 18/11 22:27

    Greek Development Minister meets with Italian counterpart in Rome

  10. 18/11 21:20

    Prime Minister: Greece to repay additional 5 billion euros early in 2025

  11. 14/11 22:23

    PM: The first time Greece gets an organised prevention & public health programme

  12. 14/11 22:19

    Minister: AI will speed up transactions for investors on Greece's land registry

  13. 14/11 22:16

    High security measures in Athens for Polytechnic uprising anniversary on Sunday

  14. 14/11 22:08

    Aegean Air posts consolidated net revenues of €1.38 billion in first nine months

  15. 14/11 11:27

    The Federation of Cypriot American Organizations held its National Convention

  16. 14/11 01:11

    Blood drive at 'Syntagma' Square Athens Metro station for road traffic victims on Saturday

  17. 13/11 23:58

    Greece's Sky Express expands Athens-Istanbul connection with direct flights

  18. 13/11 21:05

    AEGEAN Air expands Thessaloniki’s reach with New Amsterdam route

  19. 13/11 15:54

    Ships docked in Greece on November 20 due to strike

  20. 13/11 01:17

    Media report: Greece will end property purchase option for Golden Visas

  21. 12/11 00:35

    Three-day events commemorating Athens Polytechnic uprising commence on Friday

  22. 11/11 22:45

    Prime Minister: Greek-US relations are strategic and based on mutual interest

  23. 11/11 13:29

    Greece prepares for heavy rains and storms this week

  24. 11/11 11:15

    Tourism | City breaks, artificial intelligence and solo travel the dominant trends in 2025

  25. 08/11 00:42

    Greece's Metlen firm investing in five Alberta-based solar energy projects

  26. 07/11 23:20

    Greece's company Metlen investing in five Alberta-based solar energy projects

  27. 07/11 23:08

    Enterprise Greece, SEV and other firm associations organising business mission to Milan

  28. 07/11 22:04

    Greek Alternate Finance Minister attends Toronto Economic Forum

  29. 07/11 20:11

    Greek Tourism Minister inaugurates OPAP MARATHON Expo

  30. 07/11 18:55

    Minimum wage bill in Greece is posted online for public consultation until November 21

  31. 07/11 00:43

    Road tax bills for 2025 posted in Greece with deadline on December 31

  32. 06/11 15:16

    Prime Minister: I am certain that Greek-American relations will stay strong

  33. 06/11 11:13

    Finance Minister addresses Athens Investment Forum

  34. 05/11 00:47

    Minister: Everyone must continue the effort to reduce retail prices in Greece

  35. 04/11 23:37

    Salamis Shipyards delivers the first two Island-type patrol vessels in Greece

  36. 04/11 23:28

    More than 3,000 applicants for Greek citizenship sit for language certification examinations

  37. 04/11 23:14

    Greek Youth Symphony Orchestra makes its debut at Carnegie Hall

  38. 04/11 23:09

    3rd International Conference on Ancient Greek and Byzantine Tech in Athens on November 19-21

  39. 04/11 23:08

    Greek government utilizes two tools to promote investments

  40. 04/11 22:03

    Ticket prices announced for buses and new metro in Thessaloniki city

  41. 30/10 22:45

    Greek Climate Crisis Minister offers aid to Spanish people after deadly flooding

  42. 30/10 22:35

    Joint firm for Thriasio II freight complex greenlighted by Competition Commission

  43. 30/10 22:31

    Athens International Airport records 9.8% revenue hike during Q1-Q3 2024

  44. 30/10 22:31

    Sub-concession deal inked for Mega Yachts Marina in Greek island of Corfu

  45. 30/10 21:39

    Greek government investing in supply chains to transform national economy

  46. 30/10 00:31

    Passenger ferry 'Aghia Theodora' safely in Igoumenitsa Port after running aground

  47. 30/10 00:31

    Government spokesperson: Greece's 'brain gain' wager appears to have been won

  48. 30/10 00:28

    Greek supermarket prices for 362 product codes to fall from 5% to 24%

  49. 29/10 23:41

    Wyndham inks cooperation deal for  first hotel in Piraeus

  50. 29/10 17:18

    Greek and German Presidents visit site of future Holocaust Museum in Thessaloniki

  51. 25/10 15:07

    More than 4.000 participations from 28 countries in 63 activities at Navarino Challenge 2024

  52. 23/10 22:29

    Greece's PPC successfully issues new 7-year bond raising 600 million euros

  53. 23/10 22:14

    Ferries grounded for another 48 hours in Greece

  54. 23/10 20:17

    SKY Express launches direct flights from Athens to Tirana

  55. 23/10 19:26

    European Commission greenlights €40 million for flood prevention works in Athens

  56. 23/10 11:22

    Grecce's SNF supports relief efforts after Hurricanes in the Southeastern U.S.

  57. 22/10 21:48

    IMF expects Greek economy to grow by 2.3% in 2024 and 2% during 2025

  58. 22/10 21:46

    Minister: Ticket prices for new Thessaloniki metro to be announced shortly

  59. 22/10 21:37

    Greek Shipping Minister: A new 'maritime' Egnatia will open up new prospects

  60. 22/10 21:31

    Transport Minister visits FlyOver project site in Greek city of Thessaloniki

  61. 22/10 21:25

    Increased tourist traffic in Greece during the period January-August 2024

  62. 21/10 21:23

    Prime Minister: Greece's economy on irreversible path to recovery

  63. 21/10 19:19

    Greek FinMin: Plan to utilize Hellenic Public Properties at implementation phase

  64. 21/10 18:00

    New General Manager at City Contact from January 1, 2025

  65. 21/10 09:16

    European Union Commissioner inaugurates creation of 'Trusted Investors Network'

  66. 18/10 23:09

    Exhibition of ancient cultures from Basilicata opens at Athens Acropolis Museum

  67. 17/10 19:13

    Enterprise Greece: 121 firms showcase environmentally friendly fashion at global shows

  68. 17/10 18:18

    Ticket price of 2 euros for cinema festival throughout Greece on October 31

  69. 17/10 14:34

    Prime Minister: Greece has been very effective in dealing with illegal migration

  70. 17/10 13:22

    Traditional Greek Costumes show:“From Avgi to the present: the clothes narrate”

  71. 17/10 12:21

    Santorini Experience Returned Better Than Ever

  72. 16/10 22:23

    Greek Development Minister meets Indiana Governor and US Ambassador

  73. 16/10 22:15

    Greek PM sees overtourism problem only in Mykonos and Santorini

  74. 16/10 22:10

    North Crete highway island project gains momentum

  75. 16/10 21:59

    Greek Cartoon Museum at 'Kapnergostasio' historic building set up in Athens

  76. 16/10 19:12

    Aegean Airlines expands direct flights between Thessaloniki and Kalamata in Greece

  77. 15/10 21:19

    Greek PM: Our goal is to increase revenues and not just tourist numbers

  78. 15/10 19:46

    Greek Energy Minister holds talks in Egypt on electricity connection

  79. 15/10 19:26

    Brussels Airlines to conduct year-round flights to Greece

  80. 15/10 18:34

    New Attica Transportation Strategic Plan will reshape the Region

  81. 15/10 16:44

    UK Ambassador to Athens: Greece's role is of strategic significance

  82. 15/10 15:49

    Greece's finance ministry reveals four main changes introduced by new tax bill

  83. 14/10 23:04

    Minister: Luxury tourism can upgrade quality of Greek tourist product

  84. 14/10 13:01

    Greek Infrastructure and Transport Minister: 35 new buses in Attica

  85. 14/10 12:54

    WTTC | Business travel to surpass pre-pandemic levels at US$1.5 trillion in 2024

  86. 14/10 11:48

    Commercial real estate continues upward course in Greece

  87. 11/10 22:39

    Acropolis Museum to mark European Days of Conservation-Restoration of Cultural Heritage

  88. 09/10 23:26

    Minister: More than 2,000 Greeks abroad registered on Rebrain Greece Platform

  89. 09/10 23:23

    Italgas to invest 1 bln euros in Greece by 2030 based on new strategic plan

  90. 09/10 23:22

    FinMin: The upgrade of the Athens Stock Exchange is excellent news for Greece

  91. 09/10 20:14

    Fraport Greece announces schedule of shutdowns to upgrade regional airport runways

  92. 09/10 17:30

    Greek government spokesperson highlights positive economic outlook for 2025

  93. 09/10 01:43

    October electricity bill subsidies to support vulnerable consumers in Greece

  94. 09/10 01:41

    Enterprise Greece: Four Greek wineries at ProWine Latin America 2024

  95. 09/10 01:31

    Three-week deadline for Greek taxi drivers to install payment card signage

  96. 08/10 18:22

    AEGEAN air passenger traffic surpasses 12.5 million in first nine months of 2024

  97. 08/10 16:31

    Report: Networking and career opportunities for foreign students in Cyprus and Greece

  98. 07/10 21:54

    Media: U.S. Ambassador to Athens is a Champion of Study Abroad Endeavors

  99. 07/10 21:44

    Universities of Tennessee and Athens to promote academic collaboration

  100. 07/10 20:36

    Greece's Gov.gr Wallet wins top award from WITSA