Damage assessment begins in Greece following major wildfire: Strong winds increase risk of flare-ups

In Greece, damage assessment efforts have begun in settlements west of the capital, Athens, following a forest fire that lasted for days. Authorities and local residents are working to determine the damage caused to homes, businesses, and agricultural land, while it has been reported that a state of alert remains in place due to the risk of flare-ups caused by strong winds.

Teams from the Ministries of Environment and Civil Protection are conducting inspections in the region approximately 50 kilometers northwest of Athens. Checks are also continuing in areas where some citizens have returned to their homes following preventive evacuations. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to chair a Cabinet meeting to discuss compensation and support for those affected by the fire.

Although it has been reported that the situation is largely under control in the region where more than 14 thousand hectares of land burned within five days, the fire department remains at the highest alert level to counter potential flare-ups in spots where smoke is visible. Fire Department Spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakoyannis stated that teams are continuing their work in high-risk areas.

WIND HINDERED INTERVENTION

It was stated that the fire spread rapidly due to the influence of winds reaching 130 kilometers per hour. After the flames reached the southern slopes of Mount Kithairon, they advanced as far as Megara, an industrial and agricultural city approximately 40 kilometers from Athens. In the coastal resort of Porto Germeno, which was heavily affected by the fire, it is reported that many houses have become unusable and the smell of smoke is still felt in the area.

According to the fire department's initial investigation, the fire began on Friday with a spark from power lines operated by a private company in Agios Vasileios, approximately 85 kilometers northwest of Athens. Authorities have announced that they are implementing certain restrictions based on fire risk levels and that some parks have been temporarily closed to visitors.

Greece has been battling dozens of fires across the country since the end of July. A total of five people, including three firefighters and two crew members of a helicopter responding to the flames, have lost their lives in these fires.

Authorities announced that 33 people have been detained for allegedly causing fires between June 29 and August 2. It was stated that 30 of these individuals are being processed for negligence, while three are suspected of arson. It was noted that a significant portion of the negligence cases stemmed from agricultural activities continued despite bans.

During the evacuations in and around Porto Germeno, more than 250 people stranded on beaches were transported to safe areas by boat. Army teams opened firebreaks on the burning slopes with heavy machinery, while expert teams worked to prevent new flare-ups by extinguishing embers in forested areas.