ATHENS: A wildfire ignited on Saturday afternoon in a forest area north of Athens, amid heightened fire risk across six Greek regions.

At least forty wildfires have erupted since dawn across the country with wind speeds exceeding 100 kilometres per hour, according to fire brigade sources.

“In general, the conditions that prevail are difficult and dangerous,” Fire Department spokesperson Vasilis Vathrakogiannis told an emergency press briefing on Saturday.

Accustomed to scorching summers, Greece faces a tough wildfire season after its warmest winter and earliest heatwave on record, with temperatures hitting 44°C.

Strong winds and numerous high-voltage pylons in the area of Mount Parnitha — known as “the lungs of Athens” — are impeding the use of firefighting aircraft.

Reinforcements from the regions of Thessaly, Epirus, and Central Macedonia, as well as volunteer firefighters, are helping to tackle the forest fires. The winds have carried smoke into the centre of Athens while a message was sent to people in nearby areas via the emergency number 112 to be on standby due to the fire.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2024