Greece is battling stubborn wildfires across various regions as the country endures an intense heatwave, with temperatures soaring to a scorching 42.4°C (108.32°F) in central Greece. Emergency responders have made progress, managing to get many outbreaks under control, yet five major fire fronts continue to challenge firefighters late on Sunday in the Peloponnese region, along with the islands of Evia, Kythira, and Crete.
In Turkey, a historic temperature was recorded at 50.5°C in Silopi, exceeding the previous record of 49.5°C, as multiple areas contend with raging wildfires. Turkish Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli indicated that numerous regions are experiencing critical conditions, with full containment of these fires projected to take several days. Reports indicate a difficult four-day battle to suppress flames in Karabuk province, with devastating losses including the tragic death of 10 individuals engaged in fire suppression in Eskisehir province.
In the face of these challenges, some local authorities in Turkey, including the popular resort of Cesme, have introduced restrictions on water usage. Greece's firefighting efforts have been further complicated by strong winds, prompting a formal request for assistance from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to procure six firefighting aircraft. Fire brigade spokesman Vasilios Vathrakoyannis reported a notable improvement following an intense night of firefighting.
Concerns are mounting regarding the impact on communities, with Minister Giannis Kefalogiannis noting injured firefighters and significant destruction to property and forests. One particularly aggressive blaze in Kythira rapidly spread from Pitsinades village, affecting approximately 20% of the island. Residents in several villages received urgent evacuation notifications on Sunday as crews brought in helicopters and water-bombing aircraft to help with flare-ups.
Elsewhere, an out-of-control fire near Pissona on Evia has resulted in significant chaos, with six firefighters hospitalized due to burns and smoke inhalation, while multiple villages are left without power. In Messinia, another wildfire began in the Polithea area, leading to considerable damage to both homes and agricultural land.
In Attica, where Athens is located, a fire that ignited in Afidnes has advanced rapidly into neighboring towns like Drosopigi and Agios Stefanos, prompting mass evacuations. While authorities might claim they have contained the primary fire fronts, hotspots continue to pose a threat.
In Crete, firefighters are engaged in combat with a 20km stretch of wildfire across forested areas, threatening local beehives, crops, and livestock, exacerbated by challenging southwesterly winds. Villages along the front are struggling with electricity outages. Earlier incidents on islands such as Chios and past fires in Crete have left lasting impact, with thousands of acres destroyed and massive evacuations conducted.
