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Wildfire Fanned by Gale-Force Winds Rages Uncontrolled on Greek Island of Serifos, Prompting Evacuations

A devastating wildfire swept across the Greek island of Serifos, prompting authorities to evacuate several hamlets, as Greece battles multiple wildfires amid scorching heat and gale-force winds.

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Nitish Verma
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A devastating wildfire swept across the Greek island of Serifos on Sunday, prompting authorities to evacuate several hamlets as the blaze raged out of control. The fire, which broke out on low vegetation, spread rapidly due to strong winds, with nearly a dozen firefighters and four fire engines battling to contain the flames. More firefighters were expected to join the effort through the night, according to a fire brigade official .

The wildfire on Serifos was just one of approximately 50 that broke out across Greece on Saturday, with hot and windy conditions prevailing throughout the country. Authorities advised people to stay out of forest areas, and a wildfire in a mountainous forest area just outside the Greek capital, Athens, had threatened to spread to a nature reserve. The fire on Mount Parnitha, some 20 km north of Athens, was still being battled by 160 firefighters, despite easing earlier on Saturday.

Gusts exceeding 100 kph (62 mph) hampered efforts to contain the fire, which had threatened to spread to a nature reserve. Water-carrying planes stopped operating through the night, but Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias assured that the fire had no active front, and firefighters would work through the night to extinguish the flames. Fortunately, no homes were threatened by the fire.

Winds are not expected to weaken before Sunday, according to meteorologists. Wildfires are common in Greece, but they have become more devastating in recent years due to hotter, drier, and windier summers, which scientists attribute to the effects of climate change .

Why it Matters : The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires in Greece and other Mediterranean countries are a stark reminder of the devastating impact of climate change. As summers become hotter and drier, the risk of wildfires grows, posing a significant threat to human life, infrastructure, and the environment. It is essential for governments and authorities to develop and implement effective strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change and prevent such disasters.

In response to last summer's deadly forest fires and following its warmest winter on record, Greece developed a new doctrine to combat wildfires, which includes deploying an extra fire truck to each new blaze, speeding up air support, and clearing forests. However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of these disasters and protect vulnerable communities.

Key Takeaways:

  • A devastating wildfire swept across the Greek island of Serifos on Sunday, prompting authorities to evacuate several hamlets.
  • Greece battled approximately 50 wildfires on Saturday, with hot and windy conditions prevailing throughout the country.
  • The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires in Greece are attributed to the effects of climate change.
  • Authorities advised people to stay out of forest areas, and a wildfire in a mountainous forest area just outside Athens threatened to spread to a nature reserve.
  • Greece has developed a new doctrine to combat wildfires, including deploying extra fire trucks and speeding up air support.