Firefighters battle raging wildfire on Greece's Evia island
12:08 PM EDT, July 30, 2024
More than 200 firefighters are battling a fire on the second-largest Greek island, Evia. According to the authorities, this is one of the season's most dangerous fires. Residents of several towns have been called to evacuate.
Year after year, the destructive natural force occurs more frequently in Greece due to climate change. This summer, the country has already fought hundreds of fires, and the government has announced that it is preparing for an especially difficult fire season.
The fire in the eastern part of Evia island broke out on Monday afternoon. It is unknown where and when the flames first appeared. Firefighters fought the blaze all night. According to authorities, the situation slightly improved on Tuesday.
The operation involves more than 200 firefighters, supported by water-bombing airplanes and helicopters. One firefighter was slightly injured.
Footage released by Euro News shows the intensity of the fight against the fire. Journalists describe it as a "wall of fire."
A fire department spokesman said the fire on Evia is one of the most difficult in the current season, as the eKathimerini portal reported.
Greek media also report that just yesterday, fires broke out in more than 50 locations across the country, including on the islands.
On Tuesday, a warning of very high fire risk (level four on a five-point scale) was issued for Attica and the largest Greek island, Crete.
Heatwaves and fires. Greece has been battling them for several months
The dangerous situation in Greece has been going on since late spring. At the turn of June and July, hundreds of firefighters fought 70 forest fires in various parts of the country, including on the islands of Andros and Salamina. The firefighting operation was hindered by strong winds, which caused new hotspots to emerge.
In 2021, 124,000 acres of forest burned on Evia, about one-third of the island's forested area.
