Major wildfire rages out of control on fringes of Greek capital; hundreds of firefighters deployed
CTV
A major forest fire was raging out of control on the northern fringes of the Greek capital Monday, triggering numerous evacuation orders for Athens suburbs and outlying areas as strong winds hampered the efforts of hundreds of firefighters and dozens of water-dropping planes.
A major forest fire was raging out of control on the northern fringes of the Greek capital Monday, triggering numerous evacuation orders for Athens suburbs and outlying areas as strong winds hampered the efforts of hundreds of firefighters and dozens of water-dropping planes.
The blaze that began Sunday afternoon was racing through pine forests left tinder-dry by repeated heat waves this summer. June and July of this year were the hottest months ever recorded in Greece, which also recorded its warmest winter ever.
Authorities were faced with "an exceptionally dangerous fire, which we have been fighting for more than 20 hours under dramatic circumstances," Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said mid-morning Monday. The fire was burning mainly on two separate fronts, with some parts in particularly difficult to reach areas on a mountain northeast of Athens, Kikilias said.
The fire department said 670 firefighters, backed by 27 teams specially trained to tackle wildfires and including more than 80 armed forces personnel, were battling the flames. More than 180 vehicles were deployed, while 17 water-dropping planes and 15 helicopters were providing aerial support.
A children's hospital, a military hospital, two monasteries and a children's home were evacuated early Monday, while evacuation orders, sent by push alerts to mobile phones starting Sunday and continuing throughout the night into Monday, were issued for more than a dozen areas, including Marathon and several Athens suburbs. Three Athens hospitals were put on heightened alert to treat any potential injuries.
Local media reported two firefighters were slightly injured, while several civilians were treated in hospitals for smoke inhalation. Several homes were burned, although the exact number was not immediately clear.
