EU aids Greece to fight devastating wildfires
Wildfires Rage Across the Peloponnese and Nearby Islands
Firefighters have been pushing back against several outbreaks over the last 48 hours. In the western Peloponnese, on Evia near Athens, and on the tourist isle of Kythera, hot winds have fanned expanding flames, threatening homes, forests and even a historic monastery.
Key Developments
- Fires have destroyed houses, beehives and olive groves on Kythera. Deputy mayor Giorgos Komninos reported that half the island has already burned.
- Kythera is in danger of a monastery collapse. The island’s popular beach has been evacuated after a blaze erupted Saturday morning.
- Italy and the Czech Republic have joined the fight. Two Italian aircraft are expected to arrive on Sunday, while Czech units are already at work.
- Europe‑wide heatwave conditions are still in play. Eleven regions of Greece face a very high fire risk, with temperatures exceeding 40 °C in many areas.
- Recent incidents on Crete and Evia have cost lives and property. On Evia, thousands of farm animals died and the electricity network suffered serious damage. On Crete, four houses and a church were burned, though the fire was largely contained by Sunday.
Fire‑Risk Forecasts
Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, spokesman of the fire brigade, warned that the entire territory is at a high risk today. While the strong winds that fueled Saturday’s blaze are expected to subside early Sunday, Kythera remains under worrying wind conditions.
Evacuation and Damage
People on Kythera were sent evacuation messages early Sunday as the fire raged unabated. Authorities are working to mitigate the impact on the island’s electricity network and some villages still face water supply problems.
Heatwave Highlights
Amfilohia reached a record 45.2 °C on Saturday, and the extreme heat is expected to die down by Monday. Last month, wildfires on Chios and Crete claimed 4,700 hectares and forced the evacuation of 5,000 people respectively.
Historical Context
2023 was the most destructive year for Greek wildfires, with nearly 175,000 hectares lost and a toll of 20 deaths. The ongoing outbreaks underscore the urgent need for comprehensive fire‑management strategies across the country.
