Wildfires escalate in Greece and Turkey as record heat endures

Significant wildfires continue to ravage regions in Greece and Turkey as a relentless heatwave persists, prompting emergency responses and evacuations.

 

Greece is grappling with an intense heatwave that has exacerbated the outbreak of major wildfires throughout the country. As firefighters endeavor to manage and contain the blazes, temperatures soared to an alarming 42.4 degrees Celsius (108.32 degrees Fahrenheit) in central Greece on Sunday. Efforts are concentrated on five primary fire fronts in the Peloponnese region, as well as on the islands of Evia, Kythira, and Crete, where numerous outbreaks have been reported.

In Turkey, the ongoing wildfires are fueled by unprecedented heat, with the country's environment ministry announcing a record temperature of 50.5 degrees Celsius in Silopi, surpassing the previous high of 49.5 degrees. Areas ravaged by wildfires are described by Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli as facing perilous conditions, with containment expected to take several days. Tragically, reports indicate that ten individuals lost their lives battling blazes in Eskisehir during the past week.

To mitigate the impact of the fires, local authorities in Turkey have begun implementing water consumption restrictions, particularly affecting resort towns such as Cesme on the western coast. Meanwhile, Greece has formally reached out to the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for support in deploying six firefighting aircraft to assist in their ongoing battle against the flames.

Fire brigade representative Vasilios Vathrakoyannis noted that though progress was made after an overnight effort, challenges persisted. The Greek Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Giannis Kefalogiannis, highlighted the emotional toll of the fires, emphasizing the injuries sustained by firefighters and the ensuing destruction to homes and natural habitats.

In Kythira, a fire erupted on Saturday morning in the village of Pitsinades, quickly spreading and affecting an estimated 20% of island territory. As precautionary measures, evacuation alerts were released for several communities. Early Sunday, firefighters were combatting flare-ups while being aided by helicopters and water-bombing aircraft.

In Evia, fierce flames overwhelmed containment efforts on Saturday, leading to injuries among six firefighters requiring hospitalization due to burns and smoke inhalation. Significant losses have been reported in Messinia, where a wildfire in the Polithea area intensified throughout Saturday, severely damaging all nearby homes and farmland.

The crisis has not spared Attica, where a fire erupted in Afidnes, swiftly moving through nearby towns such as Drosopigi, Kryoneri, and Agios Stefanos, prompting rapid evacuations. Although authorities believe the main fire front is contained, several hotspots remain active. In Crete, firefighters continue to thwart a sprawling 20-kilometer wildfire affecting a range of ecosystems, while strong winds challenge containment efforts, leaving some villages without power.

The situation remains grave, echoing last month’s destructive fires on Chios Island, where approximately 4,700 hectares (11,600 acres) were ravaged. In July, wildfires on Crete prompted the evacuation of around 5,000 tourists.

Residents impacted by the wildfires are encouraged to share their experiences.