Greece struggles to contain wildfires as heat wave intensifies
Fires remained active on Sunday in at least five regions, including the Peloponnese, and on the islands of Evia, Kythera, and Crete. Firefighting aircraft and helicopters resumed operations at dawn, while reinforcements from the Czech Republic and firefighting planes from Italy were en route to support Greek authorities.
“Today is expected to be a difficult day, with a very high risk of fire across nearly the entire country,” warned Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, a spokesman for the fire brigade. However, he noted that conditions in some areas were beginning to improve.
On Kythera, a popular tourist destination with 3,600 residents, emergency evacuation messages were issued early Sunday as wildfires continued to spread. Strong winds remain a concern on the island, despite a general forecast of easing winds across much of Greece.
“Houses, beehives, olive trees have been burnt,” said Giorgos Komninos, deputy mayor of Kythera, speaking to ERT News. “A monastery is in direct danger right now. Half the island has been burned.”
The Kythera fire broke out Saturday morning and forced the evacuation of a well-known beach. Dozens of firefighters, supported by helicopters and aircraft, are working to contain it.
Damage across the country
In the Peloponnese, flare-ups continued Sunday morning, and in Evia, near Athens, wildfires destroyed forested areas and killed thousands of farm animals. Electricity and water supply issues were reported in several villages on the island, as crews rushed to restore infrastructure.
On Crete, fires that began Saturday afternoon destroyed four homes and a church, though they were largely contained by Sunday.
In Kryoneri, north of Athens, police boosted security to prevent looting after residents were forced to flee their homes on Saturday. Locals were seen fighting fires alongside firefighters, trying to save their homes and livelihoods.
“We are fighting here. What can we do?” said a resident named Giorgos, wearing a mask to shield himself from the smoke.
Another local, Alexandros Andonopoulos, said he rushed from Athens to his village only to find flames already at his doorstep. “Fortunately, the firemen arrived quickly,” he added.
National response and climate crisis
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed support for affected residents, writing on social media: “Anyone who lost possessions should know that the state will be by their side.” He called Saturday's efforts a “titanic” struggle, adding, “The picture today looks better, and the battle continues with all available resources.”
Greece has been sweltering under extreme heat for nearly a week, with temperatures soaring past 40°C (104°F) in many regions. The highest recorded temperature on Saturday was 45.2°C in Amfilochia, western Greece. Relief is expected starting Monday as the heat wave begins to subside.
Just last month, wildfires on the island of Chios scorched 4,700 hectares (11,600 acres), while early July saw 5,000 people evacuated from wildfires on Crete.
2023 remains Greece’s most devastating year for wildfires, with nearly 175,000 hectares of land destroyed and 20 fatalities recorded.
As a climate change hotspot, Greece is facing longer, hotter, and more dangerous summers—conditions scientists link to human-induced climate change, which intensifies the scale and frequency of such natural disasters.
