Greece battles devastating wildfires as more than 12,000 hectares burn

14:15

By: Sahili Aya

Greece battles devastating wildfires as more than 12,000 hectares burn

Greece is confronting one of its most intense wildfire outbreaks of the summer, with more than 12,000 hectares of forests and agricultural land destroyed in the past week as extreme weather conditions continue to fuel rapidly spreading fires.

High winds reaching up to 100 km/h and exceptionally dry conditions have complicated firefighting efforts across several parts of the country, prompting authorities to maintain the highest level of wildfire alert in multiple regions.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described the situation as “extremely difficult,” as emergency services continue to battle multiple active fire fronts.

Porto Germeno among the hardest-hit areas

The coastal resort town of Porto Germeno, located about 60 kilometers west of Athens, has emerged as one of the areas most severely affected by the fires.

Preliminary assessments indicate that more than 10,000 hectares have burned in the surrounding area, while dozens of homes have been damaged or destroyed. The fires have threatened communities and natural landscapes during one of Greece’s busiest tourism periods.

Emergency crews remain deployed around the clock to contain the flames and protect residential areas.

Firefighters respond across multiple regions

Greek firefighters are simultaneously tackling blazes in several locations, including Porto Germeno, the northern Peloponnese, and the island of Cephalonia, where another wildfire recently broke out.

The emergency response has come at a heavy cost. Authorities confirmed that three firefighters lost their lives this week while combating separate wildfire incidents, underscoring the dangers faced by frontline crews.

Although wind speeds have eased slightly, firefighting operations remain challenging due to persistent heat and dry vegetation.

Climate conditions heighten wildfire risk

Several regions, including the greater Athens metropolitan area and the island of Euboea, remain under maximum wildfire alert as officials warn that conditions continue to favor the rapid spread of new fires.

Greece experiences major forest fires almost every summer, but this year's outbreak has been particularly destructive, reflecting broader concerns over increasingly severe weather patterns associated with climate change.

Authorities continue to urge residents and visitors to follow evacuation instructions and remain vigilant as emergency services work to contain the ongoing crisis.