Firefighters and aircraft battle to control wildfires.

Hundreds of Firefighters,​ Aircraft Struggle to Contain Wildfires

More‌ than 600⁤ firefighters, including reinforcements from several European countries and backed by a fleet of water-dropping planes and helicopters, are currently battling the remnants of three major wildfires in Greece. These wildfires have been raging for days, posing a significant challenge to firefighting efforts.

Greece has been ‌plagued‍ by daily⁢ outbreaks of dozens of fires over the past week, fueled by gale-force winds​ and hot, dry summer conditions. These conditions have created the⁢ perfect ⁣environment for flames to spread rapidly, making it difficult ⁣for ⁤firefighters to gain control.

As of Sunday, there were 105 ​wildfires across the country, with 46 of them breaking out within a 24-hour period. The fire department is investigating the causes of these blazes, with arson suspected in some cases.

Devastation in Northeastern Greece

In Greece’s ⁣northeastern regions of Evros and ⁤Alexandroupolis, a massive wildfire has ‍been burning for nine days.⁢ This wildfire is believed​ to be responsible for⁣ 20 out of the 21 wildfire-related deaths in the past week. It has decimated vast tracts ‌of forest and ⁢burned homes in the outlying‌ areas of Alexandroupolis.

On Sunday, 295 firefighters, seven planes, and five helicopters were tackling flare-ups that were creating new fire⁢ fronts. Evacuation‌ orders were issued for two villages in the Evros and Rodopi regions. The wildfire ‍has scorched 77,000 hectares⁤ (297‍ square miles) of land and had 120 active hotspots, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service.

Other Wildfires⁤ in ‍Greece

On ⁤the northwestern fringes of the Greek capital, another major wildfire has‍ been burning for days. However, it⁤ is now limited to flare-ups and is being tackled⁢ by 160 firefighters, one plane, and⁢ three helicopters. This fire has already destroyed homes and part of a national park on Mount​ Parnitha.

A third major wildfire started on the Cycladic island of Andros on Saturday and is still not under control. Currently, 73 firefighters, two planes, and two⁣ helicopters are working to extinguish the blaze.​ Lightning strikes are suspected of having sparked​ this wildfire. Flare-ups are ⁢also occurring in a large wildfire in the central region of Viotia.

International Support and ‍Climate ‍Change

With firefighting forces ‍stretched to the⁢ limit, Greece has called for help from other European ⁢countries. Germany, Sweden, ​Croatia, and Cyprus have sent aircraft, while firefighters from Romania, France, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Albania, Slovakia, and Serbia are assisting on the ground.

Southern European⁢ countries,​ with their hot and dry summers, are‌ particularly prone to wildfires. European Union officials have attributed ‌the increasing frequency and ‍intensity of wildfires⁢ in Europe to climate change. They note that 2022 was the second-worst year for wildfire damage on record, following 2017.

The ‌causes ‌of Greece’s two largest fires have not yet been​ determined. However,‌ arson or negligence is suspected in some of the‌ smaller blazes,⁤ leading ‍to several arrests. Greece​ imposes wildfire prevention regulations from May to October, aiming to limit⁢ activities that‌ could spark fires.

Despite the challenges, firefighters ‍and aircraft continue to battle the wildfires in​ Greece, working tirelessly to contain the flames and protect affected communities.

The Western Journal has reviewed this ​Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.

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