Wildfires Rage in Greece: Arson Suspected, Residents Evacuated from Athens Suburbs, Olive Groves Near Lesbos at Risk
Investigators in Greece have found that the fire near Athens was caused by the burning of dry grass. They are currently examining footage showing an arsonist setting fire to dry grass along Vari-Koropi Avenue near the Hellenic Army Academy in eastern Attica. A fuel canister and rags were found nearby, said Vassilis Kikilias, Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection. The Arson Prevention Department and police are collecting evidence and video footage for investigation.
According to the fire service, the fire, which broke out among the low-growing vegetation, is currently under control, with no active fronts. A powerful firefighting force remains on the scene to prevent the fire from spreading: 155 firefighters, four ground crews, 45 vehicles, six planes and 12 helicopters.
In the afternoon, authorities urged residents to evacuate an area on the outskirts of Athens where a large forest fire broke out due to strong winds.
On Wednesday and Thursday, a high risk of fires was announced for the wider Athens area.
The fire service reported that 54 firefighters using six water aerial vehicles were trying to tackle a "severe fire" near Vary, about 30 kilometres south of Athens' city centre, in an area with scattered residential buildings.
According to local authorities, at least two houses were involved in the fire in Koropi.
Traffic on the main highway connecting Koropi with the suburbs of Athens was suspended. One storage facility was on fire, with flames spreading to a dry boat dock and a field of dry grass and olive trees, local television images showed.
An emergency 112 message was sent, instructing Lambrica residents to evacuate in the direction of Agia Marina Avenue. Shortly afterwards, a second alert advised residents of Kitsi to move towards Wari.
Also today, a wildfire raged out of control, destroying olive groves in the Moria region, just a few kilometres north of Mytilene on the island of Lesbos. The fire broke out around 16:00 and spread rapidly due to strong winds. Firefighters are having difficulty accessing the groves, some located in ravines, as the wind continues to fan the fire.
Dozens of wildfires have broken out in Greece in recent days amid hot summer temperatures, but they have been extinguished before they could cause significant damage.
Forest fires are commonplace in Greece's dry, hot summers and have caused dozens of deaths in recent years. Authorities are warning of a particularly high risk this summer after a dry, warm winter that left vegetation dry.
Earlier on Wednesday. the fire service said it had brought another fire under control near Markopoulos, east of Athens, and the island of Evia.