July 2nd 2024.
Next up, there has been a series of devastating wildfires wreaking havoc in Greece, including in popular tourist destinations such as Kos, Chios, and Crete. The intense heat and prolonged dry spell have transformed parts of the country into a tinderbox, forcing both locals and tourists to evacuate as firefighters battle numerous blazes.
According to forecasters, large portions of Greece, particularly along the coast, are at high or very high risk of wildfire outbreaks. The island of Kos, for instance, experienced a wildfire in Antimachia on Monday afternoon, with strong winds pushing it towards the holiday resort of Kardamaina. As a result, around 10,000 residents and tourists were evacuated and spent the night in schools, stadiums, and hotels in nearby areas.
"The situation in Kos is certainly challenging," stated Giorgos Hatzimarkos, the regional governor of South Aegean, in an interview with Greek radio station Skai 100.3. He also added that the island is facing a massive test. The Forest Fire Risk application service in Greece uses orange to indicate areas at risk of fire and red for areas at very high risk.
Despite the chaos and destruction, Hatzimarkos remained optimistic, stating that "Kos will overcome this great challenge." Meanwhile, tourists like Clare Smith, who was vacationing with her family, described the scene as "apocalyptic" with thick plumes of black smoke filling the sky. She said, "you feel like you're in a war movie."
One holidaymaker, Brian McAteer from Glasgow, shared his harrowing experience of spending 13 hours in a football stadium as the fire raged only 4km away. He described the conditions as inhumane, with one toilet for every 7,000 people. Photos from others sheltering in the stadium show them sleeping on cardboard boxes and yoga mats. McAteer called the situation a "total s**tshow."
The island's mayor, Theodosis Nikitaras, praised the work of firefighters and volunteers, calling it "superhuman." He also shared a photo on Facebook of hundreds of evacuees sleeping inside a football stadium in Antimachia. However, as the sun rose, the once rapidly spreading fire was finally under control, and guests were able to safely return to their hotels.
"The efforts of everyone involved were truly remarkable," stated Nikitaras. The fire officials announced that the fire was contained by 6 am, and the main road to Kardamena was reopened. The remaining flames were surrounded by firefighters.
Unfortunately, the wildfires have also caused damage to homes and properties. In Chios, a man was arrested on suspicion of arson for allegedly starting the fire that broke out on Sunday in the Metohi area. The fire in Crete continues to burn, but it has been mostly contained to a ravine. On Zakynthos, almost 1,200 acres of land have been scorched by a wildfire.
Over the weekend, dozens of other wildfires flared up across the country. Two major forest fires erupted on Sunday, destroying 24 acres of woodland, houses, and cars in Attica. Another fire broke out in a recycling factory in Ritsona, near the island of Evia, filling the sky with black smoke from burning tires and discarded mattresses.
Despite the challenges, fire officials are hopeful that the blazes will be extinguished within the next few days. However, this is becoming an annual occurrence for Greece, and it is not expected to get any better. Climate change is causing the Mediterranean and Middle East regions to dry up at an alarming rate, making them more susceptible to wildfires.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating, "We have had an exceptionally difficult June with extreme weather conditions, including high levels of drought and unusually strong winds for this season." He also warned that the summer is expected to be particularly dangerous for wildfires, and the worst is yet to come.
In essence, the scenes of exhausted firefighters struggling to contain the blazes while water-scooping helicopters fly above them are a glimpse of what the future holds for Greece and other affected regions. It is a reality that the country's leader is all too aware of and one that they must continue to face and overcome.
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