Athens, Greece — A major wildfire swept through forests towards a port city in northeastern Greece overnight, prompting evacuations of eight villages and a city hospital. Firefighters are battling numerous wildfires across the country as high winds and extreme temperatures exacerbate the situation.

The fire risk remains “extreme” for several regions, including the Athens area. Access to mountains and forests in these regions has been banned, and military patrols have been ordered. The largest wildfire, burning out of control for four days, has led to the evacuation of over 65 patients from the Alexandroupolis hospital to a ferry boat docked in the port.

Smoke and ash have filled the air, obscuring the sun and creating a surreal atmosphere. Houses, a school, and a cemetery have been damaged in villages near Alexandroupolis. Additional homes have suffered damage in the Kavala region due to another wildfire, while a separate fire in the Evros border area is impacting a protected national park.

A new fire erupted on the western outskirts of Athens, leading to evacuation orders for two villages. International assistance has been mobilized, with firefighters from Romania and water-dropping aircraft from Cyprus aiding efforts in Alexandroupolis. French firefighters are also contributing to the fight against a fire on the island of Evia.

Greece faces destructive wildfires annually, with a deadly blaze in 2018 claiming 104 lives. Swift mass evacuations are now common whenever inhabited areas are threatened, as safety remains a priority. This summer has seen several wildfire-related deaths, underlining the seriousness of the situation.

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