Firefighters Battle Wildfires in Greece

Emergency Evacuations Underway Near Athens

Greece is currently battling five major wildfires across the country, with officials evacuating residents in the region just north of the capital city, Athens. The severe heatwave, with temperatures reaching up to 44°C (111.2°F) on Sunday, is exacerbating the spread of these fires, and the fire services are struggling to distribute resources due to their number.

Urgent Calls for Support

The Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has called for international assistance, citing the "unprecedented" conditions and the struggle of the country's own resources to control the fires. Indeed, Greece recently received assistance from other countries, with Spain and France sending two aircraft each to help with the firefighting efforts.

Climate Change's Role

These wildfires come after weeks of scorching temperatures and minimal rainfall, conditions that scientists attribute to climate change. The immediate threat of these fires is devastating, but their longer-term implications have yet to be fully understood. Experts are concerned that wildfires will continue to increase in frequency and intensity in the future.