Firefighters battle one of Greece's most dangerous blazes on Euboea
30 July 2024 20:42
Over 200 firefighters are battling a fire on Euboea, Greece's second-largest island. According to the authorities, it is one of the season's most dangerous fires. Residents of some areas have been told to evacuate.
Due to climate change, these destructive incidents appear more frequently in Greece year by year. This summer, the country has already fought hundreds of fires, and the government has announced that it is preparing for an especially challenging fire season.
The fire in the eastern part of Euboea broke out on Monday afternoon. It is unclear where or exactly when the flames first appeared. Firefighters battled the blaze through the night. According to the authorities, the situation somewhat improved on Tuesday.
The operation involves over 200 firefighters, supported by planes and firefighting helicopters. One firefighter sustained minor injuries.
The scale of the battle against the fire can be seen in recordings published by Euro News. Journalists describe it as a "wall of fire".
According to the eKathimerini portal, a fire department spokesperson said that the fire on Euboea is one of the toughest of the current season.
Greek media also report that just yesterday, fires broke out in over 50 locations across the country, including the islands.
On Tuesday, Attica and Greece's largest island, Crete, were issued a warning of very high fire risk (level four on a five-point scale).
Heatwaves and fires. Greece has been battling them for several months
The dangerous situation in Greece has persisted since late spring. Hundreds of firefighters fought 70 forest fires in various parts of the country in late June and early July, including the islands of Andros and Salamis. At that time, strong winds hampered the firefighting effort, leading to the creation of new hotspots.
In 2021, 120,000 acres of forest burned on Euboea, about one-third of the island's forested area.
