Greece is enduring a fierce battle against wildfires that are sweeping through various regions, exacerbated by a relentless heatwave. As the temperature soared to a staggering 42.4C (108.32F) in central Greece on Sunday, firefighters managed to bring many of the wildfires under control. They are currently concentrating efforts on five major fire fronts, especially in the Peloponnese, and on the islands of Evia, Kythira, and Crete.
In Turkey, the situation is similarly dire, as the country recorded its highest ever temperature at 50.5C in the southeastern city of Silopi, surpassing the previous record of 49.5C. With fires raging across several areas, Turkey’s forestry minister, Ibrahim Yumakli, reported on Sunday that affected regions would likely face several more days of risks until the fires are fully contained. A devastating incident was reported last week in Eskisehir province, where ten firefighters tragically lost their lives due to the blaze.
Local authorities in Turkey have initiated water consumption restrictions in affected areas, including the tourist destination of Cesme. In Greece, strong winds are compounding the challenges for firefighters. The nation has requested support from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, seeking six firefighting aircraft to assist in the efforts.
Climate crisis minister Giannis Kefalogiannis emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting injuries among firefighters and extensive property and woodland damage. In Kythira, a significant fire quickly spread after igniting in the village of Pitsinades, with initial reports suggesting about 20% of the island was impacted. New evacuation orders were issued for several villages as early morning saw firefighters still battling flare-ups.
The island of Evia continues to struggle against a wildfire that spiraled out of control near Pissona, resulting in six firefighters hospitalized due to burns and smoke inhalation. The fires also led to multiple villages losing power. Meanwhile, in Messinia, additional wildfires broke out with growing intensity, prompting significant damage to homes and farmland.
As residents in the Attica region fled from advancing flames, fire services have reported containment of the main fronts, though numerous hotspots persist. On Crete's Chania region, firefighters were engaged with a 20km wildfire front that threatened local ecosystems and agriculture, complicated further by strong winds causing additional flare-ups.
Last month, wildfires on Greece's Chios island destroyed around 4,700 hectares (11,600 acres), showcasing the devastating impact of the ongoing fires. Earlier this July, wildfires in Crete prompted the evacuation of 5,000 tourists, underlining the immediate threats posed to communities and wildlife alike.
As communities grapple with the aftermath and ongoing efforts to combat these wildfires, PulseWire invites anyone affected by the fires in Greece or Turkey to share their experiences and insights.
