Blazing Inferno: Athens Under Siege by Wildfire

A fast-moving wildfire driven by strong winds spread to the outskirts of Athens, torching trees, houses, and cars, and prompting the evacuation of several hospitals and communities. The blaze, among the worst in Greece this year, was intensified by hot and dry weather linked to climate change.

A fast-moving wildfire driven by gale-force winds spread to the outskirts of Athens on Monday, torching trees, houses, and cars, and forcing the evacuation of several hospitals and towns, according to Greek authorities. Hundreds of wildfires have erupted across Greece since May, exacerbated by hot and dry weather linked to climate change, making these blazes more frequent and intense.

More than 670 firefighters, supported by volunteers, 183 fire engines, and 32 waterbombing planes and helicopters, fought the latest wildfire, which ignited on Sunday near Varnavas, 35 km north of Athens. By Monday, the conflagration had advanced to Grammatiko, Nea Makri, and the fringes of Athens' northern suburbs, including the heavily wooded Mount Penteli.

"It hurts; we have grown up in this forest. We feel great sadness and anger," Marina Kalogerakou, a 24-year-old Penteli resident, told Reuters as flames neared her home. The fire, driven by strong winds, engulfed an estimated area of 30 km. Winds were forecasted to intensify, worsening the situation, said Theodore Giannaros from the National Observatory of Athens.

Firefighting aircraft resumed operations early Monday after an overnight pause. Police evacuated at least 250 people. At least three hospitals and several communities in the Penteli area were evacuated. Fire brigade spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakogiannis described the fire spreading "like lightning" due to strong winds.

Thick smoke darkened Athens’ sky by Sunday evening, with flames nearing northeastern suburbs. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the fire brigade's operations center on Monday. Greece, after its warmest winter on record and little rainfall, is expected to record its hottest-ever summer, with fire alerts in place.