Athens, Greece — A massive wildfire that ignited near Mount Parnitha, situated north of Athens on Tuesday, has been successfully brought under control, as reported by the Fire Service. The initial outbreak occurred in the Fili region, located on the foothills of Mount Parnitha. Fueled by strong winds, the fire posed a significant threat to the mountain’s National Park, which stands as one of the last verdant areas in close proximity to the Greek capital.
A dedicated force of hundreds of firefighters, supported by aerial resources such as planes and helicopters, has been tirelessly working to extinguish the blaze, which unfortunately resulted in the destruction and damage of several residences within the Fili area. Currently, 260 firefighters are deployed across the region, forming 13 foot teams, along with 77 vehicles. Furthermore, the efforts are bolstered by the engagement of six aircraft and seven helicopters.
Assistance has been extended from various quarters, including the General Staff of National Defense and the Hellenic Police. The Region of Attica has contributed water carriers and machinery to augment the firefighting endeavors. Mount Parnitha, a densely wooded expanse, stands as the highest peak on the Attica peninsula, reaching an elevation of 1,413 meters. This natural treasure is largely protected, serving as a national park and a sanctuary for wildlife.
Active fires in other parts of Evros
Apart from the Mount Parnitha blaze, determined firefighting forces are also active in other fire-stricken areas like Alexandroupolis, Dadia, and Rodopi, all situated within Evros, northeastern Greece. In these regions, persistent rekindlings have posed a challenge, leading to the evacuation of several villages.
Amidst these trials, a grim discovery was made by firefighters operating in the Alexandroupolis region near the Turkish border. The charred remains of 18 individuals, believed to be migrants, were found in a forest on Tuesday. Among them were two minors, aged between 10 and 15 years old. The Disaster Victim Identification Team of Greece has been entrusted with identifying the deceased and has established a multilingual telephone hotline, operational during specific hours, to assist potential relatives in their search for information.
Tragedy has struck in other parts of the country as well. Two additional fatalities occurred on Monday, one in northern Greece and another in central Greece. Over a span of just five days, a staggering 355 wildfires have ignited, prompting Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias to underscore the scale of the challenge at hand.
As of Wednesday, a formidable firefighting effort has been engaged to tackle 99 blazes, with 55 new fires having erupted within the preceding 24-hour period, as highlighted by Ioannis Artopios, the fire department spokesperson, during an evening briefing. The collaborative determination of these firefighting teams remains a beacon of hope as Greece grapples with the devastating impact of these wildfires.
