July 17, 2023 – 8:10 p.m
Two forest fires broke out in the Athens region on Monday, southeast and west of the Greek capital, MTI reported.
In Kouvaras, 27 kilometers from Athens, several residential buildings were burned. With the help of 40 fire engines and 11 aircraft, about 150 firefighters are working to contain the flames. “Because of the strong winds, the fire spread to 12 kilometers within two hours,” said Gunisz Artubuyuz, a spokesman for the fire department.
The police also arrested a foreign man suspected of arson.
Footage broadcast on Greek television showed a burning house and several cars, as well as thick smoke billowing from burning bushes. Terrified horses were rescued from the stables of the burning settlement of Kalovia.
Firefighters put out a burning house in a forest fire in Lagonisi, southeast Attica – Photo: Dimitris Lampropoulos/2023 Anadolu Agency
At least two settlements, a summer camp and rehabilitation center near Loutraki, west of Athens, had to be evacuated. The local mayor told Greek television that 1,200 children had been evacuated from the summer camp. In the area, 59 firefighters battled the flames with the help of 19 fire engines and seven aircraft.
Firefighters battle a forest fire in the village of Irini, near the resort of Loutraki, about 80 kilometers east of Athens – Photo: Valerie Gash/AFP or licensors
The Greek Meteorological Service has warned of the risk of more fires, while another heat wave is expected in the country this week.
Greece was also devastated by serious wildfires in August 2021, which we’ve written about here before. Right now, a heat wave called Cerberus is causing extreme heat in southern Europe. Heatwaves are getting harder to bear, but you can prepare for them to some extent – in this article we give you some helpful advice on what to do in the heat.
