Greece Faces Devastating Wildfires Near Capital

In an unprecedented turn of events, Greece is currently grappling with a series of devastating wildfires that have come dangerously close to its capital city, Athens. The threat was so severe that at one point, authorities feared that a line of fires, fueled by strong winds and scorching temperatures, would stretch for kilometers towards the city center.

The consequences of these blazes have been dire. Numerous buildings and businesses in Vrilissia, located in the north-eastern suburbs just 14km from the heart of Athens, have been reduced to ashes. The fire's intensity was such that it claimed its first victim - a 63-year-old woman who tragically lost her life in a burned-out factory in nearby Patima Halandriou.

The fire's destructive path has not been limited to Vrilissia alone. Suburbs such as Nea Penteli, Vrilissia, and Patima Halandriou have been particularly hard hit, with residents left in shock at the extent of the damage. Even in areas of Athens that managed to escape the fire's wrath, residents reported finding ash on their balconies on Tuesday.

The massive smoke cloud that hung ominously over Athens for hours has now dissipated, though a hazy sky remains as a reminder of the devastation wrought by the fire. Firefighters, who have been working tirelessly since Sunday afternoon to contain the blaze in north-eastern Attica, are nearing exhaustion.

Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias, commended the "superhuman effort" of over 700 firefighters who, along with forest commando teams, battled the fire for 40 grueling hours in challenging conditions. The fire risk was categorized as level five, with gale-force winds of 7-8 Beaufort, prolonged drought, and rugged terrain posing significant challenges.

Marina, a resident from Nea Penteli, shared her harrowing experience of being forced to flee her neighborhood due to the encroaching fire. She sought refuge in a nearby town, only to be evacuated once again as the flames reached her new location. The desperation was palpable as she recalled people pleading with her to take them along, their faces reflecting the agony of being left behind.

Thanassis Kevezes, a marble and stone merchant from Vrilissia, was forced to abandon his business on Monday as the smoke and flames threatened his property. Upon returning the next morning, he estimated that the fire had caused €30,000 in damage. Kevezes expressed his frustration over the highly flammable pine trees that populate the area, stating, "We love them as Greeks but at the same time I personally hate them now."

Residents and business owners in Vrilissia, Nea Penteli, Varnavas, and Marathon are now grappling with the aftermath of the fire. A pine forest near Varnavas was engulfed in flames, resulting in thousands of acres of farmland being lost. The burning pine cones that filled the air made the task of fighting the fire even more challenging.

Sotiris Evangelopoulos visited his father-in-law's house on the outskirts of Athens to assess the damage. Fortunately, the property remained unscathed, though some damage was evident in the front yard. Evangelopoulos expressed concern over the escalating summer temperatures and the prolonged fire season, while also criticizing authorities for allowing urban expansion into the pine forests surrounding Athens, leaving residents more vulnerable to wildfires.

Kostas Lagouvardos, Research Director at the National Observatory of Athens, echoed Evangelopoulos' concerns. He highlighted the complexity of finding a solution due to the expansion of cities towards forested areas and the changing climatic conditions. Lagouvardos warned that the increased risk of forest fires is not the only concern. He emphasized the implications for agriculture and health, citing the extended period of high temperatures in Athens this summer and the potential health risks associated with it.

As firefighters continue their efforts to extinguish scattered hotspots, authorities have issued fresh evacuation orders for parts of Nea Makri, with flames approaching homes in Erythros. Although the strong winds that fueled the fire on Sunday and Monday have subsided, forecasters have warned of their potential return during the afternoon.

Lagouvardos stressed the importance of policymakers and engineers working together with national and local authorities to find a sustainable solution to mitigate the risk of forest fires and address their broader implications on agriculture, health, and overall well-being in Athens and beyond. However, he expressed pessimism about the future, citing not only the increased risk of forest fires but also the broader environmental challenges that Greece faces in the years ahead.