Thousands of people were forced to evacuate their homes around Athens on Monday as wildfires surged towards the Greek capital. The fires, fueled by strong winds, created a wall of flames advancing towards Athens, with areas such as the leafy suburb of Nea Penteli being engulfed in flames, requiring residents to relocate. The ERT public broadcaster reported that the frontline of fires, stretching over 30 kilometers (20 miles) long and reaching heights of over 25 meters (80 feet), was rapidly approaching the city.

A massive operation involving nearly 700 firefighters and over 30 aircraft was launched to battle the ferocious blazes. The fires had already extended into the outer suburbs of Athens, threatening the iconic Mount Pentelikon. In response to the emergency, authorities opened the Olympic stadium and other sports arenas to provide shelter for those fleeing the fires. Additionally, three major hospitals were put on standby to assist with any medical emergencies.

While facing the flames, firefighters endured incredibly challenging conditions. One firefighter suffered serious burns, another was hospitalized due to breathing difficulties, and 13 others received treatment for mild respiratory problems, according to the fire brigade spokesman, Vassilis Vathrakogiannis. As the wind shifted, the fire expanded to 40 different locations, further complicating containment efforts.

The urgency to evacuate was evident in the decision made by the mayor of Halandri, who ordered a partial evacuation due to the close proximity of the fire. Other municipalities, including the historic town of Marathon, famous for giving the Olympic long-distance race its name, started evacuations on Sunday. The mayor of Marathon, Stergios Tsirkas, described the situation as a "biblical catastrophe," with the whole town being engulfed in flames.

As the fires raged on, smoke blanketed central Athens, while thick grey clouds shrouded Mount Pentelikon, known for its marble production used in ancient architectural wonders like the Acropolis. Despite the tireless efforts of civil protection forces throughout the night, the fire continued its rapid spread, according to Vathrakogiannis. At dawn, a children's hospital and a military medical facility in Penteli had to be evacuated.

This devastating situation reignited memories of the tragic Mati disaster in 2018, where 104 lives were lost due to evacuation delays and errors. The severity of the wildfires this year is attributed to Greece experiencing its warmest winter and the hottest June and July since reliable data collection began in 1960. The impact of rising temperatures, exacerbated by human-induced fossil fuel emissions, has led to longer and more intense heatwaves, causing longer wildfire seasons, as noted by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

The heatwave and wildfire crisis extend beyond Greece, as other parts of Europe are also grappling with extreme temperatures. Parts of France saw temperatures rise above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) on Sunday, while Rome is forecasted to reach 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) on Monday, with temperatures remaining around 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit) throughout the week.

As Greece fights to contain the advancing wildfires, the priority remains the safety and well-being of the affected population, with authorities working tirelessly to mitigate the destruction caused by this ongoing crisis.

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