Athens, Greece — The EU is currently grappling with its largest wildfire in over two decades, with a blaze raging on for the 12th consecutive day in northeastern Greece. Despite the concerted efforts of a multinational firefighting contingent on the ground and a fleet of water-dropping aircraft, the inferno remains unyielding.
Originating near the port city of Alexandroupoli on August 19, the wildfire quickly merged with smaller fires to form a colossal blaze that has left a trail of destruction in its wake. Homes have been razed and vast stretches of land near the Turkish border have been consumed by the flames. Tragically, this fire was accountable for 20 of Greece’s 21 fire-related fatalities last week. The magnitude of the crisis led to the evacuation of thousands of individuals.
A coordinated effort is underway, involving 475 firefighters on the ground, backed by 11 planes and five helicopters. These teams are working tirelessly to subdue the flames, which are now concentrated deep within the forested expanse of Dadia National Park.
The extent of the disaster is staggering, with approximately 81,000 hectares (200,000 acres) of land engulfed by the blaze. The European Union’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service, which relies on satellite imagery for data analysis, has reported this as the most significant single wildfire incident recorded among member nations since the inception of the European Forest Fire Information System in 2000.
In recent weeks, Greece has experienced a surge in new wildfires, the majority of which were promptly contained in their initial stages. However, a number of these fires escalated into major conflagrations, burning for days and necessitating the precautionary evacuation of thousands.
The firefighting efforts have received substantial support from various nations. Hundreds of firefighters from Romania, France, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Albania, Slovakia, and Serbia have joined the battle against the blazes. A fleet of 12 aircraft from Germany, Sweden, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, and Spain have also been instrumental in the firefighting campaign.
Meanwhile, another major fire on the outskirts of Athens, which persisted for a week on Mount Parnitha, is now showing signs of containment. Occasional flare-ups are being managed within the forest, a crucial green area situated near the Greek capital.
