Thousands forced to evacuate as massive wildfire spreads through Greek island of Evia

A massive wildfire burning in the northern part of the island of Evia, Greece since August 3, 2021, has forced more than 2 500 people to evacuate their homes.

Hundreds of homes have been destroyed but the full extent of the damage caused by the fire burning for 7 days now is still unknown.

While residents and officials called for more help, the mayor of the municipality of Istiaia in the northern part of Evia, said that it's already too late. "The area has been destroyed."¹

Wildfire on Evia Island, Greece on August 8, 2021. Credit: Copernicus EU/Sentinel-2. Processed by Pierre Markuse.

Wildfire on Evia Island, Greece on August 8, 2021 – SWIR image. Credit: Copernicus EU/Sentinel-2, EO Browser, TW

Nikos Hardalias, Greece's deputy civil protection minister, said emergency crews are undertaking 'superhuman efforts' against multiple fronts.² 

Water-bombing aircraft in the region faced several hurdles including low visibility caused by the thick plumes of smoke rising over the mountains and turbulence, Hardalias said.

More than 2 500 people have evacuated their homes since the fire started on August 3. One of the evacuees compared the scenes to a horror movie:

Absolutely terrifying footage from a ferry carrying passengers escaping the shores of Lake Evia in #Greece. pic.twitter.com/5H9jzapXl0

— Dino Sofos (@dinosofos) August 7, 2021

More than 600 firefighters are battling the flames on Evia, helped by 5 helicopters and 5 water-dropping planes.

This is the most severe of dozens of wildfires that have broken across Greece in the past 7 days.³

The fires hit the country during its worst heatwave in more than 30 years. 1 volunteer firefighter has lost its life and 4 others were injured.

According to the European Forest Fire Information System, Greece has lost 56 655 ha (139 997 acres) to fires from July 29 to August 7. The average area burnt over the same 10 summer days between 2008 and 2020 was 1 700 ha (4 200 acres).⁴

References:

¹ Greece wildfires: Evia island residents forced to evacuate – BBC

² Blaze ravages Evia island 'like a horror movie' on sixth day of Greek fires – Reuters

³ Massive forest fire in Greece still burning for 7^th day – AP

⁴ Hundreds on Greek island of Evia flee homes as wildfires continue to rage – France24

Featured image: Wildfire on Evia Island, Greece on August 8, 2021. Credit: Copernicus EU/Sentinel-2. Processed by Pierre Markuse