Athens Under Siege – Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations Amid Record Heat

Kyriakos Mitsotakis (Prime Minister of Greece): “We are at war—completely focused on fighting the fires. This is a summer of wildfires we have never experienced before.” – Addressing the severity of the wildfires during the crisis.

The air around Athens is thick with smoke, a tangible manifestation of the chaos that grips the land. Wildfires, fierce and unyielding, are devouring the hills and valleys surrounding the ancient city, forcing a desperate exodus from towns, villages, and sacred sanctuaries. The flames, driven by relentless winds, seem almost alive, leaping from tree to tree, house to house, as if intent on engulfing everything in their path.

On a blistering Monday, with the sun beating down like a hammer, Greek authorities issued urgent evacuation orders. The call was clear: get out now. Hospitals, homes, and even monasteries emptied as the firestorm advanced, its searing breath felt miles away. The blaze, sprawling across multiple fronts, is a beast with many heads, each one devouring whatever it can reach. On the slopes of Mount Penteli, where the terrain itself resists the firefighters’ efforts, the flames have found a haven, turning the rugged landscape into a battleground where the odds seem stacked against those who fight.

🇬🇷🙏🏻🔥 Pray for #Greece. Smoke fills the sky behind the Acropolis as wildfires burn in Attiki on the outskirts of Athens. See https://t.co/uOrRyVJ4y0 Video sent in to us by https://t.co/d5xpx8psow pic.twitter.com/mHHKGIcLva

— Greek Gateway (@GreekGateway) August 12, 2024

In this harrowing battle, the words of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias carry a weight that feels almost biblical. “An exceptionally dangerous fire,” he calls it, and those on the ground know exactly what he means. For over 20 hours, firefighters have been locked in a grueling struggle, their resolve tested by the fire’s sheer ferocity. The wind, an unseen but powerful ally of the flames, drives the fire forward with terrifying speed, turning trees into torches and homes into ash.

As the firestorm rages, evacuation orders ripple across the region. A children’s hospital, a military hospital, two monasteries—all now stand empty, their occupants having fled to safety. For those who remain, the fear is palpable, a constant companion as they wait and watch, hoping against hope that the flames will be stopped. Shelters, hastily set up, offer refuge, but not peace; the smoke and uncertainty seep through every crack, every crevice, reminding everyone that the danger is far from over.

❌ #Greece Authorities Order Evacuation of Homes, Hospitals near Athens as #Wildfire Rages

A massive fire is out of control in the northern parts of Attica, #Athens.

The wildfires are spreading despite “superhuman” efforts to combat the flames, the fire brigade said. pic.twitter.com/Kmf183sjQX

— 𝕏 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (@cheguwera) August 12, 2024

The firefighting effort is monumental and it is a testament to human courage in the face of overwhelming odds. A small army of 670 firefighters, bolstered by military units and specialist teams, has been deployed to combat the inferno. Over 180 fire engines and more than 30 aircraft are engaged in the action, attacking the flames from every angle. But the fire, relentless and voracious, seems almost to mock their efforts, spreading like a living thing, unpredictable and deadly.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, fresh off a plane from Crete, is back in Athens, taking charge of the response. The memory of the 2018 Mati fire, where 104 souls were lost, looms large over every decision, every action. The heatwave that has gripped Greece is a merciless backdrop to the unfolding disaster. June and July have shattered temperature records, setting the stage for this catastrophic fire season.

⚠️ Greece ordered the evacuation of hospitals and homes near Athens on Monday as wildfires spread despite “superhuman” efforts to combat the flameshttps://t.co/jlFMSvtKc7

Video via X / jade__bauer pic.twitter.com/UBG0MUOkUY

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 12, 2024

With temperatures soaring upto 104 degrees Fahrenheit, the land itself seems getting too hot and ready to ignite. Half of Greece now teeters on the brink, caught between a relentless sun and the advancing flames. The outcome of this giant battle is still uncertain, as the people of Greece stand together, defiant in the face of nature’s fury, hoping that their efforts will be enough to save what remains.

Quotes

• Christos Stylianides (Greek Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection):“The combination of extreme temperatures and prolonged drought has created a tinderbox across the country, and we are seeing the devastating consequences.” – On the environmental conditions that have fueled the wildfires.
• Katerina Sakellaropoulou (President of Greece):“Our country is burning, and we must come together as a nation to protect our people and our land.” – A call for national unity in the face of the wildfire crisis.
• Nikos Hardalias (Former Deputy Minister for Civil Protection): “The battle is being fought on many fronts. Our priority is to save lives, protect critical infrastructure, and preserve as much as possible of our natural environment.” – Describing the multi-faceted response to the wildfires.
• European Union (Statement from the European Commission): “The EU stands in solidarity with Greece, and we are mobilizing resources to assist in this difficult and tragic moment.” – Offering support to Greece during the wildfire emergencies.
• UNESCO (Statement on cultural heritage): “The wildfires threatening Athens and surrounding areas are not only a human tragedy but also an existential threat to some of the world’s most cherished cultural heritage sites.” – Highlighting the risk to Greece’s historical sites.

Major Points

• Wildfires force mass evacuations around Athens, including hospitals and monasteries.
• Fierce winds and rugged terrain hinder firefighting efforts on Mount Penteli.
• Authorities warn of the fire’s rapid spread, fueled by extreme heat and strong winds.
• Prime Minister Mitsotakis returns to oversee emergency response, recalling the 2018 Mati tragedy.
• Record-breaking heatwave intensifies the threat, with half of Greece on high alert.

Lap Fu Ip – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News