Residents of the Greek town of Varnavas, north of Athens, were forced to flee their homes as a wildfire raged out of control, with flames reaching as high as 25m (80ft). The fire, which started on Sunday afternoon, quickly spread, burning 100 sq km of land by evening.
Houses and properties in the area were engulfed in flames, prompting firefighters to evacuate people trapped by the fire. A convoy of 20 to 25 vehicles was trying to escape the area as firefighters battled the blaze.
The wildfire in Varnavas was fueled by strong winds of up to 8 Beaufort (39-46mph), making it difficult for firefighters to contain. Climate crisis and civil protection minister Vassilis Kikilias warned that dangerous weather conditions would persist, as Greece has been experiencing its hottest June and July on record.
Residents of Varnavas and Grammatiko were instructed to evacuate, with emergency services urging people to heed the authorities’ instructions for their safety. A total of 165 firefighters, nine teams on foot, 30 vehicles, seven firefighting aircraft, and five helicopters were deployed to combat the flames.
Despite the efforts of the firefighting teams, the strong winds continued to hamper their progress, with the battle against the fire expected to last through the night. Medical centers and hospitals in Athens remained on high alert as parts of the capital were covered in a cloud of brown smoke.
The situation in Varnavas serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of wildfires and the urgent need for climate action to prevent such disasters in the future.
