Massive wildfire threatens Athens, forcing 30 000 to evacuate, Greece

A massive wildfire near Athens has forced the evacuation of over 30 000 people and burned 10 000 ha (24 710 acres) of land, with flames advancing toward the Marathon Lake. One casualty has been confirmed as the fire continues to spread due to strong winds.

A wildfire broke out 35 km (22 miles) from Athens in the town of Varnavas on Sunday afternoon, August 11, 2024 and is spreading toward Marathon Lake. It has thus far burned 10 000 ha (24 710 acres) of land and forced the residents of nearly 10 villages to flee during the early hours of Monday.

More than 30 000 people have been evacuated, and one casualty has been reported. The burned body of a woman was found in an industrial building in the suburb of Vrilissia.

“At this time, the fire is advancing toward Marathon Lake with the forces against it being constantly reinforced, focusing on the flanks and dealing with flames that in some cases are higher than 25 m (82 feet),” said fire brigade spokesperson Vasilis Vathrakogiannis at a press conference.

More than 700 firefighters have been deployed to contain the fire. Meanwhile, the Anadolu Agency reported that more than 315 firefighters, forest commando teams, 98 vehicles, and many volunteers from Moldova and Romania, along with 26 planes and helicopters, are working to extinguish the fires despite the extreme heat and strong winds.

Sixty-five people who were trapped in their cars in the Varnavas area have been rescued, according to the local police department. Multiple evacuation orders were issued throughout Monday for the regions affected by the fire. Gale-force winds in the area caused the rapid spread of the fire, according to the local fire department.

The U.S. Embassy in Athens has issued a warning urging travelers to “exercise extreme caution in affected areas,” stating that “The General Secretariat for Civil Protection has announced Very High Fire Risk (Risk Category 4) and Extreme Fire Risk (Risk Category 5) for many areas in Greece, including areas close to Athens.”

Another fire that broke out earlier in the town of Megara in western Attica has been contained.

Authorities have advised citizens to stay indoors.

References:

¹ Greece wildfires – latest: Fears strong winds will spread deadly fire in Athens after thousands evacuated – Independent – August 13, 2024

² Major wildfire continues to rage in Greece’s Attica region – AA – August 12, 2024

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

• Rishav Kothari

  15 rescued as storms bring flooding and lightning fire to Cherokee County, Oklahoma
• Rishav Kothari

  Moderate Risk of excessive rainfall across Texas and Louisiana, flood threat forecast through June 17
• Rishav Kothari

  Heat advisories issued across western U.S., temperatures forecast up to 44.4°C (112°F) in parts of California
• Rishav Kothari

  Stress along Southern California faults reaches highest level in 1 000 years