June 30th 2024.
In the small town of Keratea, near Athens, Greece, a frightening sight unfolds as flames engulf a house, sending plumes of smoke into the sky. This is just one of the many new wildfires that have erupted near the capital, with temperatures soaring to a sweltering 38°C over the weekend. The brave firefighters who have been dispatched to Keratea, 22 miles southeast of Athens, are facing a race against time as strong winds continue to fan the flames.
As the fire spreads, residents are being evacuated from their homes, fearing for their safety as the flames draw closer. Tragically, the fire has already destroyed at least four homes and several cars, but thankfully, no injuries have been reported. Deputy mayor of Lavreotiki, Athanasios Makrodimitris, has witnessed the devastation firsthand, expressing his shock as he watched two or three houses succumb to the flames.
Meanwhile, the brave firefighters are working tirelessly to extinguish the fast-moving blaze, but their efforts are hindered by the relentless winds. The thick smoke rising over the town serves as a constant reminder of the ongoing danger, as evacuations continue to take place. The emergency alert system 112 has been activated, urging residents from six areas near Athens to flee to safety.
In a race against time, water-dropping planes and helicopters have been deployed to try and contain the wildfire. The police have also stepped in, stopping traffic on many central roads in the affected areas. The first fire, which began in the early afternoon, has already ravaged parts of the port of Lavrio, located about 37 miles southeast of Athens. This area has been plagued by wildfires in recent years, making the situation even more dire.
A second fire has also broken out north of Athens, near the suburb of Stamata. This fast-moving blaze has been tearing through scrubland and forest, and has now reached the 3,600ft Mount Penteli. This mountain, along with three others surrounding the capital, is often referred to as "the lungs of Athens", highlighting its importance to the city.
With the entire country on high alert, the dry weather and scorching heat have created the perfect conditions for these devastating wildfires. In fact, more than 40 wildfires erupted on Saturday alone, adding to the already dire situation. In response to the ongoing crisis, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called on the nation to brace themselves for a difficult season in his weekly Facebook post on Sunday. He recognizes the challenges ahead and emphasizes the need for a new culture of prevention and responsibility in order to combat these destructive blazes.
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