Hundreds of firefighters are battling multiple blazes across Greece, with more than 60 hectares of land burned across four wildfires. These fires have already claimed multiple lives and led to the evacuation of more than 1,000 people from the seaside resort of Porto Germeno and other areas west of the capital.
In the northwestern outskirts of Athens, firefighters have gained ground against a wildfire near the coastal village of Psatha that has burned for five consecutive days. While easing winds provided a temporary break, rugged hills and canyons have hampered efforts to fully contain the blaze, which has gutted homes and scorched forests, farmland, and olive groves. Firefighters are currently working to strengthen containment lines before stronger gusts and rising temperatures return.
Investigators believe one of the blazes near Porto Germeno may have been caused by an electrical cable, leading to the arrest of two people. An initial investigation by the fire service indicates a blaze in Agios Vasileios started on Friday due to a spark on power cables managed by a private company.
The civil protection ministry has placed the greater Athens area and the neighboring island of Evia under near-maximum fire risk. Firefighters remain on alert for persistent flare-ups as the region continues to face dangerous conditions.