Greece Is Still Suffering From A Heatwave, Causing Wildfire Evacuations

Following further nocturnal evacuations due to flames that have raged out of control for days, Greece saw its third consecutive heat wave on Tuesday, which caused temperatures to rise again over 40 C (104 F) in several areas of the nation.

Corfu and Evia received the most recent evacuation orders, while a fire on Rhodes continued to spread inland, burning hilly wooded regions, including a portion of a nature reserve.

While firefighting aircraft and helicopters continued water drops at dawn, desperate locals, many of whom were wearing damp towels around their necks to ward off the sweltering heat, used shovels to push back flames nearing their houses.

More than 20,000 people, primarily tourists, were reportedly evacuated off the island in succession over the weekend as a fire spread over two coastal regions on Rhodes’ southeast coast.

Turkey, Israel, Egypt, and other nations have also offered assistance, in addition to the 500 firemen, 100 vehicles, and 7 aircraft deployed by the European Union and its 10 member states.

We have been battling many forest fire fronts 24/7 for the last 12 days in very hot and windy circumstances. According to Vassilis Kikilias, the minister for climate change and civil protection, the Greek Fire Service has put out more than 500 fires, or more than 50 a day.

Authorities in Athens reinstated the historic Acropolis’ afternoon closure hours as part of larger efforts to combat the extreme heat.

EU authorities note that 2022 was the second-worst year for wildfire destruction on record after 2017, attributing the increase in frequency and severity of wildfires to climate change.