In a devastating turn of events, a large wildfire has engulfed areas north of Athens, resulting in the evacuation of thousands of residents who are fleeing for their safety. The blaze, with flames reaching a staggering height of 25 meters (80 feet), has prompted emergency services to swiftly move residents from the historic site of Marathon and other affected areas.

According to the fire brigade, houses and properties in the nearby town of Varnavas have been reduced to ashes by the raging inferno. To make matters worse, a convoy of 20 to 25 vehicles attempting to escape the area found themselves trapped, with firefighters scrambling to evacuate them from the dangerous situation.

Disturbingly, this is just one of the forty fires that have broken out across Greece since Saturday afternoon. Firefighters are currently battling seven blazes, significantly stretching their resources and capabilities. In a troubling statement, Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias warned that the extremely dangerous weather conditions would persist, exacerbating the already dire situation.

The scorching summer temperatures have set records, with Greece experiencing its hottest June and July ever recorded. As a result of the escalating crisis, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has returned to Athens, cutting short his holiday to personally handle the emergency response.

The wildfire in Varnavas, which originated on Sunday afternoon, has already devoured a staggering 100 square kilometers (39 square miles) of land by 19:00 BST. Following a notification from the national emergency number, residents of Varnavas and Grammatiko were instructed to evacuate immediately for their safety. Similarly, residents of Marathon, a historic town, were advised to seek refuge in the nearby beach town of Nea Makri.

Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, a spokesperson for the Fire Brigade, emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging all residents in the affected areas to heed the instructions provided by the authorities. He revealed that the fire had rapidly grown to an immense size due to winds reaching up to 8 Beaufort (39-46mph). As the flames continue to approach Marathon Lake, firefighting forces have been deployed and bolstered to combat the inferno, focusing on the flanks and combating towering flames that exceed heights of 25 meters (80 feet).

To tackle the raging blaze, a force of 165 firefighters, divided into nine teams on foot, along with 30 vehicles, seven firefighting aircraft, and five helicopters, have been mobilized. However, the strong winds are greatly hindering the effectiveness of the firefighting aircraft, prolonging the battle against the fire. As the night unfolds, the fight against the inferno is expected to endure, as powerful winds are projected to persist.

With the situation escalating rapidly, medical centers and hospitals in Athens remain on high alert. Parts of the capital city have already been enveloped in a cloud of brown smoke, underscoring the severity of the ongoing wildfire crisis.

As Greece grapples with these relentless and destructive fires, the safety and well-being of its residents remain paramount. The efforts of the firefighters, emergency services, and government authorities to combat the blaze and protect the affected areas are ongoing, as they confronted with the immense challenge posed by the unrelenting inferno and treacherous weather conditions.