Raging Wildfires in Greece: Three Dangerous Fronts in Penteli, Marathon, and Grammatikos
Thousands Evacuated as Flames Continue to Threaten Homes and Communities
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기사입력 : 2024.08.12 23:16
Wildfires in Greece have reached a critical point, with three major fronts in Penteli, Marathon, and Grammatikos posing significant danger to residents and property. These fires erupted 24 hours ago in Varnavas, leading to over 27 emergency evacuation alerts, as the flames continue to spread uncontrollably.
In Penteli, the fire has entered the first homes at the edge of the forest, engulfing areas on the borders of Nea and Palaea Penteli. The flames spread through a ravine near Pericles Street, prompting the mayor of Penteli, Anastasia Kosmopoulou, to describe the situation as a living nightmare. "The situation is a hell. I have outbreaks everywhere, it's blowing like a demon," she said, capturing the dire reality on the ground.
The fire advanced from the hill of Kallithea in Penteli, near Moni Penteli, towards the hill of Asteroscopio, burning through the forest between Old and New Penteli, dangerously close to residential areas. Homes in Nea Penteli have already succumbed to the flames, and the fire has extended to Pampa Halandriou and Vrilissia, with entire neighborhoods under threat.
At 2 pm, a third emergency alert was issued for Nea Penteli, a densely populated area with thousands of residents. Evacuation orders were extended to include Palaea and Nea Penteli, as well as Pampa Halandri and Pampa Vrilissia, directing residents to safer areas in Halandri or Vrilissia.
Another perilous front is in the Marathon lake area, where the fire has crossed the lake and is heading towards Afidnes, an area deemed extremely dangerous. In Grammatikos, the flames, which had been somewhat contained, reignited in the morning, destroying numerous homes and continuing to threaten nearby settlements.
The Fire Brigade has been battling more than 40 flare-ups since the morning, according to Fire Brigade spokesperson, Fire Chief Vassilis Vathrakogiannis. Currently, 685 firefighters, supported by 27 forestry teams and 190 vehicles, are fighting the blazes. From the air, 33 aircraft, including 17 helicopters and 16 planes, have been deployed to make water drops and contain the spread.
The wildfire, which broke out yesterday at noon in Varnavas, remains uncontrolled, having spread across large parts of northeastern Attica. The strong winds, reaching gusts of up to 7 Beaufort, have made the work of civil protection forces exceedingly difficult, as noted in an emergency briefing by the Fire Department spokesperson.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it is believed that a combination of extreme heat, dry conditions, and strong winds contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. The region has been experiencing an intense heatwave, creating ideal conditions for wildfires to ignite and grow out of control.
Firebreaks are being created where possible, with support from the Region of Attica and the General Staff of the National Defense Forces. The challenging terrain, however, has often hindered these efforts.
Medical response teams are also on high alert. Ambulances from the Emergency Medical Services have been stationed around the fire perimeter, while nearby hospitals, including the Attica General Hospital "Sismanoglio," Athens General Hospital "Georgios Gennimatas," and the General Hospital of Thoracic Diseases "Sotiria," are on standby. So far, 15 people have received pre-hospital care, mostly for respiratory issues, while two firefighters have been treated for injuries.
The General Secretariat of Civil Protection has activated a special platform for the temporary accommodation of those displaced by the Varnavas fire. Residents in need can contact the hotline or submit an online application through the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection's website.
In response to the crisis, the National Coordination Center for Operations and Crisis Management has requested the diversion of scheduled routes from the port of Rafina to the port of Lavrio to ensure the safety of passengers and ease the strain on emergency services.
As the situation remains volatile, all Civil Protection forces continue to operate at the highest level of alert, working tirelessly to protect lives and property from the advancing flames.
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