Firefighters west of Athens worked urgently to reinforce containment lines on Wednesday during a temporary lull in strong winds amid ongoing wildfires that have affected mountain and coastal communities near the Greek capital. Authorities warned that wind speeds and temperatures are expected to increase again in the coming days, raising concerns about the potential for fire activity to intensify.
The fires, now in their fifth day, have forced the evacuation of more than 1,000 residents from areas including the seaside resort of Porto Germeno. Over 250 people were rescued by boat from beaches along the affected coastline. Officials have attributed the main blaze near Athens to a faulty power line at a wind farm. Local authorities have imposed restrictions and closed parks in fire-risk zones to help prevent further incidents.
Aircraft were deployed overnight and through the morning to douse remaining hot spots within contained areas, as calmer winds allowed for safer aerial operations. Greek firefighters and the military have been collaborating to fight the fires, with the army supplying large excavators to create fire breaks in burned hillsides, while specialist firefighting teams pressed into forested zones to extinguish smoldering embers before they could reignite.
Costas Tsingas, head of the Greek Firefighters Association, highlighted the challenging conditions, noting the "huge fire load" in the region and emphasizing the importance of maintaining containment as conditions evolve. Mediterranean coastal winds typically strengthen in the afternoon due to temperature differences between land and sea, creating a pressing timetable for firefighting efforts.
Between June 29 and August 2, authorities arrested 33 individuals linked to fire incidents, including 30 cases of negligence and three suspected arson events. Many negligence cases were associated with farm work activities, such as welding, conducted despite local bans during high fire-risk periods.
Meanwhile, prolonged heatwaves across Europe have exacerbated fire risks in other countries. In southwestern France, a large wildfire near the city of Bordeaux has burned approximately 162 square miles, destroying 183 homes in the town of Le Porge. The fire exposed historical munitions believed to be from the Second World War, with demining teams recovering more than 400 shells and other unexploded ordnance. This discovery has added complexity to firefighting and recovery operations in the area.