Wildfire rages out of control on the outskirts of Athens, reaches residential areas
A massive wildfire raged out of control on the outskirts of Athens on Monday, spreading to several residential areas near the Greek capital and forcing thousands to flee their homes.
The huge fire, which broke out Sunday afternoon in the Varnava area of northeastern Attica, continued to spread, destroying land and property. On Monday it burned on two main fronts, fanned by strong winds: in Grammatiko, northeast of Athens, and in Kallitechnoupoli, east of Athens.
Residents of Nea and Palaia Penteli, Patima in Halandri, Patima in Vrilissia, the Krasa area of Ano Vrilissia and Dionysos were the last to receive a 112 emergency message to evacuate. Other areas are on standby for possible evacuation.
More than 30 emergency messages have been sent to residents since Sunday afternoon, according to fire department spokesman Vassilios Vathrakogiannis.
Hundreds of firefighters, backed by 35 water-dropping planes and 199 fire engines, were battling the large fires on Monday afternoon, but winds kept changing direction, complicating the operation.
According to reports, the fire is currently burning houses in Penteli, Vrilissia and Halandri. The flames have also reached the courtyard of the National Observatory of Athens in Penteli.
The extent of the damage is not yet clear, but video footage from Kathimerini shows burning houses in Penteli.
Στις φλόγες σπίτια στην οδό Περικλέους στην Πεντέλη pic.twitter.com/aAPe18q9HA
— Kathimerini_Web (@KathimeriniWeb) August 12, 2024
In an interview with Alpha TV, the president of the Panhellenic Federation of Firefighters, Nikos Lavranos, described the situation as “worrying.”
“The fire has gone beyond the pure forest area, as it has now entered a residential area. It has the characteristics of an urban fire. We are seeing schools and houses burning, which are different conditions,” he said.
The mayor of Vrilissia, Giannis Pisimisis, told public broadcaster ERT that the situation was very difficult and that the fire had reached the residential area as well as the Vrilissou stream.
“This is the first time we have seen a fire of this magnitude in Halandri, and a fire that has come from so far away,” said Halandri Mayor Simos Roussos.
The Labor Ministry issued a circular prohibiting any outdoor work in northeastern Attica until Tuesday.
⚠️ Activation of 112 – Emergency Number
🔥 Wildfire in the areas of #Nea_Penteli, #Palaia_Penteli, #Patima_Chalandriou, and #Patima_Vrilissia
🆘 If you are in these areas, evacuate towards #Chalandri and #Vrilissia.
‼️ Follow the instructions of the Authorities
— 112 Greece (@112Greece) August 12, 2024
⚠️ Activation of 112 – Emergency Number
🔥 Wildfire in the area of #Krasa Ano #Vrilissia
🆘 If you are in the area, evacuate towards Central #Vrilissia and #Chalandri.
‼️ Follow the instructions of the Authorities
ℹ️ https://t.co/tg45OiBehz@pyrosvestiki@hellenicpolice https://t.co/X5y125BPK0
— 112 Greece (@112Greece) August 12, 2024
