Massive Fire Leaves Much of Rhodes Without Power

A massive fire broke out on the Greek island of Rhodes on Sunday. The blaze has left a great portion of the island, which is located in the Dodecanese in the South Aegean, without power.

The fire threatens the famed Valley of the Butterflies, the military base of Kalamona, and the village of Psinthos, all of which have been evacuated.

Firefighters on the scene warned residents of nearby villages and settlements to evacuate as well, as the fire is quickly gaining ground and could spread very easily.

Due to the force of the fire, much of Rhodes has been left without electricity. In some areas, cell phone service has also been interrupted. Some residents on the island also report that they do not have running water.

Firefighters have been working since Sunday afternoon to stop the spread of the fire on Rhodes. A total of two specialty planes and three helicopters have been sent to the island to drop water on the blaze from above.

Fire broke out in Achaia yesterday

A large fire broke out in Achaia, a region of the Peloponnese, Greece on Saturday. Residents of the forested villages of Ziria, Ano Ziria, Kamares, and Lampiri were evacuated due to the blaze.

A portion of the National Highway running from Patra to Korinth was been closed because of the dangerous fire.

Emergency responders and paramedics rushed to the scene to aid in the evacuation of citizens, as firefighters work to contain the blaze, which was fueled by high temperatures in the area.

The fire in Achaia, the region where the city of Patra is located, has spread rapidly due to strong winds

The fire razed down a number of houses and buildings in the villages of Ziria and Ano Ziria, and at least one man has been hospitalized as a result of the blaze.

Heatwave in Greece fuels fires

A heatwave currently scorching Greece could fuel wildfires throughout the country.

This is not the first brutal heatwave the country has faced this summer; however, forecasts show that temperatures are supposed to skyrocket again to over 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit) in some parts Greece, reminding many of the deadly 1987 heatwave.

Earlier this week, the National Meteorological Service of Greece EMY issued an urgent announcement to bring awareness to the dangers associated with the soaring temperatures Greece will face in the coming days.

From last Tuesday onward, temperatures have been taking a gradual upward turn that won’t stop at least until next Tuesday.

This is due to the hot air masses which are traveling from north Africa to the countries of Italy and Greece and send thermometers skyrocketing in both nations.

This heatwave will be at its absolute worst from Friday, July 30, to Tuesday, August 3.

Meteorologist Klearchos Marousakis, interviewed on the Greek television channel OPEN, earlier this week said that the heatwave will be one of the worst Greece has ever seen.

“According to current data, this heatwave, at least in terms of its duration, will be reminiscent of the great heat wave of 1987,” Marousakis said.

However, he was quick to remind viewers of the significant strides that Greece and the world has made since 1987 which means that temperatures of this magnitude are no longer likely to have such tragic outcomes.