Half of Greece on red alert as wildfires rage across the country

Smoke from several wildfires blanketed the capital Athens on Sunday (August 11) as a severe weather warning was issued for the week. Hundreds of wildfires have broken out across the country this summer, after Greece recorded its hottest June and July on record.

Firefighters in Greece said on Sunday they had extinguished 33 of 40 wildfires. Photo: REUTERS

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had to cut short his vacation and return to Athens on Sunday evening to deal with the situation.

One of the largest fires broke out in the town of Varnavas, about 35 km north of Athens, in the East Attica region. A force of 250 firefighters, 67 vehicles, 12 firefighting planes and 7 helicopters were deployed, and residents were asked to evacuate.

Firefighters spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said some flames were more than 25 metres high. Firefighters ordered the evacuation of several towns late Sunday, including Marathon, a historic site near Athens.

By late Sunday, firefighters had contained 33 of the 40 wildfires that broke out in the past 24 hours. Several other areas of Greece were also put on high alert for Sunday and Monday.

Greece's Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias warned that high temperatures, strong winds and drought have put half the country at high risk. Kostas Lagouvardos, research director at the Athens National Observatory, said the situation was particularly dangerous due to the prolonged drought and high temperatures.

Scientists warn that climate change caused by carbon emissions is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heatwaves around the world, and Greece is facing one this summer.

Cao Phong (according to AFP, Reuters, DW)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/mot-nua-hy-lap-bao-dong-do-khi-chay-rung-bung-phat-khap-dat-nuoc-post307325.html