Day 5 of Largest Wildfire in Greece Raises Death Toll to 20 as Firefighters Tally 355 Forest Fires

(Photo : Sakis Mitrolidis / Getty Images)
The largest wildfire in Greece has reached day 5 with 20 deaths and 355 forest fires.

On its fifth day, Greece's largest wildfire has already claimed the lives of 20 people while firefighters battled at least 355 other forest fires.

20 Dead in Day 5 of Largest Wildfire in Greece

Twenty people have died as a result of wildfires that raged across Greece on Wednesday, and there were also significant fires burning in Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands and in northwest Turkey near the Greek border.

The largest forest fire in Greece was burning out of control for a fifth day close to the northeastern city of Alexandroupolis, and a large fire on the northwest outskirts of Athens was destroying homes, spewing smoke over the city, and encroaching on Parnitha National Park, which is one of the last green spaces close to the Greek capital.

355 Forest Fires

According to Vassilis Kikilias, the Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister, firefighters battled 355 forest fires over five days from Friday to Tuesday, including 209 in the previous 48 hours.

Authorities claimed that gale-force winds mixed with the hot, dry summer weather to fan the flames and make the fires incredibly challenging to put out.

Kikilias stated this summer's weather is the worst recorded. Fire risk reached Level 5 in extensive areas, seven times in 2023-double in 2021, fourfold in 2019, and sevenfold in 2012. Evacuations ensued, including a hospital moved to a makeshift floating one due to ongoing fire threats. High fire risk persists despite subsiding winds, per the fire department.

Firefighters in the Alexandroupolis area, close to the Turkish border, were scouring recently burned areas when they came upon 18 dead in a forest on Tuesday. The victims were thought to be migrants. On Monday, two more persons were discovered dead-one in northern Greece and the other in a separate fire in the center of the country.

Firefighting Efforts

Strained Greek firefighters sought European aid. Germany, Sweden, Croatia, and Cyprus sent planes; Romania and the Czech Republic sent teams with tanks; the French aided Evia's blaze. Evacuations hit Athens, a camp, as flames menaced Parnitha Park, homes.

200+ firefighters, volunteers, military, police, 8 copters, 7 planes, incl. German/Swedish, fought. Romanian team, 8 copters, 5 planes battled Alexandroupolis fire. Supreme Court probed organized arson groups in the area, urged by prosecutor Adilini.

Thousands of citizens and visitors had to leave Greece just one month ago due to wildfires. On the island of Rhodes, where authorities claim the "largest evacuation" has ever taken place in the nation, there is one of the biggest flames.

15 Starting Points, Strong Winds, and Dry Conditions

According to Kikilias, the fire in the northeastern border region began in 15 different locations inside a forest, and a large firefront was created as a result of strong winds and dry circumstances.

No matter how powerful they were, according to Kikilias, firefighting teams would have had a difficult time with the out-of-control fires.

An elderly care home and 1,250+ from 9 villages were evacuated. A highway was closed, and 80+ were treated for smoke effects. Turkey's forestry minister stated firefighters and aircraft contained the 1,500-hectare blaze. Dardanelles Strait traffic paused for water refill.

In Tenerife, Spain, a week-long 15,000-hectare wildfire neared control, with firefighters winning a tough battle, securing a 55-mile perimeter.

Also Read: Maui Widlfire: Nearly 100-Year Old Wood House Escapes Devastating Wildfire By Surrounding Open Space

Heatwave and Sporadic Fires

This summer's fourth heatwave is burning across Spain. According to the National Weather Service, up to 16 August temperature records were broken on Tuesday.

Sporadic fires were also recorded in Italy, which is now experiencing a heatwave with highs of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit predicted for numerous cities over the weekend.

A brush fire that started early on Wednesday morning on the outskirts of Sanremo, a renowned summer vacation resort in the Ligurian Sea, was being fought by forty firefighters and three aircraft. No casualties or property damage were recorded.

Southern European nations are especially prone to wildfires due to their hot, dry summers.

European Union officials note that 2022 was the second-worst year for wildfire destruction on record after 2017 and attribute the increase in frequency and intensity of wildfires in Europe to climate change.