Greek firefighters battle wildfires for second day amid strong winds – Euractiv

Greek firefighters fought two wildfires near Athens amid strong winds on Sunday, just hours after they successfully brought fires under control in mountains near the capital and on an island in the Aegean Sea.

Dozens of firefighters in full gear, backed by 23 water-carrying aircraft, used hoses to bring the blaze under control in a sparsely populated area near the town of Keratea, about 35 kilometers south of Athens.

Authorities ordered the evacuation of residents before flames from burning pine and olive trees engulfed homes.

Another fire in the town of Stamata, north of Athens, burned through a dense pine forest, sending thick smoke billowing over parts of the city.

So far, it has not posed a threat to homes.

Dozens of wildfires broke out over the weekend as hot and windy conditions gripped much of Greece, with people being advised to stay away from forested areas.

Firefighters remained busy on Serifos island, where a blaze broke out in low vegetation on Saturday and spread rapidly, fuelled by strong winds, damaging homes and forcing the evacuation of several villages.

The island’s mayor, Costas Revantis, told Greek television that the wildfire had raged for 15 kilometers at one point, damaging holiday homes and warehouses.

Another fire in a forest in the mountainous region of Parnitha, near a nature reserve outside Athens, was eased Sunday morning, officials said.

Wildfires are common in Mediterranean countries but have become more destructive in recent years as summers have become hotter, drier and windier, an effect scientists attribute to climate change.

After last summer’s deadly forest fires and the hottest winter on record, Greece has instituted a new principle that includes sending an extra fire truck to each new fire, speeding up air support and clearing forests.

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