Athens: Greece is battling an unprecedented wave of wildfires as more than 50 blazes erupted across the country within a 24-hour span, coinciding with the third severe heatwave of the summer. The infernos have devastated forests, forced mass evacuations, and overwhelmed emergency services from the mainland to the islands.
In the outskirts of Athens, particularly in the areas of Drosopigi and Kryoneri, wildfires intensified on Friday, with flames reaching residential zones and industrial facilities. Explosions were reported from warehouses in the Kryoneri industrial district, as strong winds carried thick plumes of smoke across northern Attica. Emergency services deployed over 145 firefighters, 44 fire engines, and aerial support including 7 helicopters and 10 firefighting aircraft to control the blaze. At least five people were hospitalized due to burns and respiratory complications caused by smoke inhalation.
Residents in multiple villages received emergency alerts on their phones urging them to evacuate immediately. Homes in some areas were engulfed as shifting winds made it difficult for firefighters to contain the spread. Local officials described the situation as “extremely dangerous,” with embers jumping roads and igniting new fires with little warning.
The crisis is not confined to the capital region. On the island of Evia, known for its forests and coastline, entire communities like Triada were evacuated as high winds drove flames toward populated zones. In the island of Kythera, the Coast Guard launched rescue operations to save more than 130 people including children and the elderly from beaches threatened by advancing wildfires. Meanwhile, in the southern Peloponnese region of Messinia, authorities ordered the evacuation of Kryoneri and Sellas villages as blazes threatened homes and farmland.
According to the Greek fire service, at least 52 fires broke out nationwide on Friday alone. Although 44 of them were brought under control quickly, eight major blazes continued to rage uncontrollably late into the evening. Firefighters warned that high temperatures expected to soar beyond 44°C in the coming days along with erratic wind patterns would make conditions even more hazardous.
Experts say that the frequency and intensity of wildfires in Greece have been increasing sharply due to climate change. Prolonged drought, extreme heat, and dry vegetation have created a perfect storm for such disasters. “We are witnessing a climate emergency that is testing the limits of our preparedness,” one civil protection official told local media.
The crisis in Greece is mirrored by similar wildfire outbreaks in neighboring countries. In Albania, 26 wildfires forced the evacuation of nearly 2,000 residents. Kosovo also reported 29 fires, resulting in significant livestock losses and damage to rural homes and agricultural land.
Back in Greece, firefighters, volunteers, and residents continue to battle the blazes on multiple fronts, even as more evacuation orders are being prepared. Churches and community centers are opening as temporary shelters for displaced families, while military forces are on standby for possible mass mobilization.
As the country braces for even hotter days ahead, calls are growing louder for stronger wildfire prevention strategies, better coordination among emergency services, and greater international support. For now, the focus remains on saving lives, protecting communities, and keeping the fires from spreading further into inhabited areas.