A large wildfire that ignited on Thursday at noon at the residential area of Palaia Fokaia, southeast of Athens, only a few miles from Cape Sounion, has been extinguished.
Earlier flames have engulfed homes and prompted urgent rescue operations. Reports indicate that at least six homes have been affected by the fire, and several more have sustained major damage.
The fire department had successfully rescued six individuals, including children, from the path of the flames.
A substantial force of 90 firefighters, supported by three ground teams from the 1st and 4th EMODE departments, 28 vehicles, eight airtankers, and five helicopters, was battling the blaze. Local water tankers were also assisting.
“Very difficult situation” as wildfire spreads in area southeast of Athens
Authorities described a “very difficult situation” with scattered outbreaks rather than a unified front. The Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) reported that firefighters are struggling to contain the blaze as it consumed residential properties.
Evacuation orders had been issued for the settlements of Tourkolimano and Thymari, with residents, including children, being moved to safety. “The situation is very difficult, the fire is about to spread,” Lavreotiki Mayor Dimitris Loukas said in speaking to APE-MPE. He added that the fire originated in Thymari, near his municipality’s borders, emphasizing the massive mobilization due to its proximity to populated areas.
Emergency notifications had been sent to residents in the four affected settlements of Thymari, Tourkolimano, Katafygi, and Charaka, urging them to evacuate towards Lagonisi and Lavrio.
In response to the unfolding crisis, police had halted traffic on Athens-Sounion Avenue at its intersection with Dim. Evelpidos Koutsia Street on the route towards Sounion.
Chios wildfire extinguished
The wildfire to the southeast of Athens comes a day after the massive fire that erupted on Chios last Sunday at noon, consuming approximately 2,500 hectares of forest, low vegetation, and arable land, was finally extinguished.
The Copernicus satellite system has released imagery of the wildfire raging across central and eastern Chios for the third day, showing a decimated area of approximately 2,000 to 2,500 hectares (20 to 25 square kilometers). A full assessment is pending.
Greece is currently in the grip of an intense heat wave. Warm air masses originating from the African coasts push temperatures to extreme highs, with the mercury anticipated to “climb” as high as 42C (108F) in several regions.
The warm air masses will affect Greece until Friday, June 27, marking the start of this summer’s initial heat wave. Vulnerable groups are strongly advised to take all necessary protective measures, as Thursday and Friday are projected to be particularly difficult and dangerous for vulnerable populations.
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