The wildfires that ravaged the wider Athens area have finally been extinguished, but officials are not letting their guard down just yet. Greece’s chief fire brigade spokesman has stated that while there are no longer any active fires, firefighters will continue to douse the ground and maintain a strong presence in the area.
Thanks to milder winds and extensive efforts by emergency services, the blazes have been brought under control. However, the risk of flare-ups remains high due to wind gusts and temperatures soaring well above 30C (86F) during the daytime.
The fires have left a trail of destruction, with one woman losing her life and dozens of people, including firefighters, being injured. The blazes tore through 100,000 acres (40,470 hectares) of land, leading to the evacuation of thousands of local residents.
The Greek authorities are now assessing the damage and preparing compensation schemes for affected residents and businesses. More than 700 firefighters, 199 fire engines, and 35 waterbombing aircraft were involved in the efforts to extinguish the fires, which first broke out on Sunday afternoon about 35km (22 miles) north of the Greek capital.
While the fires have largely abated, firefighters are still working tirelessly to ensure the safety of the capital region. Suburbs like Nea Penteli, Vrilissia, and Patima Halandriou have been among the worst affected areas.
Residents have shared harrowing stories of fleeing their homes and witnessing the destruction of their neighborhoods. Marina, a resident of Nea Penteli, described how she had to evacuate twice as the flames spread rapidly, leaving behind a trail of devastation.
In Vrilissia, buildings and businesses were left gutted by the flames, while the body of a 63-year-old woman was found in a burned-out factory in Patima Halandriou. Colleagues revealed that she had been too scared to jump from the building as the flames closed in, ultimately leading to her tragic demise.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has returned from his holidays to handle the crisis, and with the activation of the EU’s mutual civil protection mechanism, European countries have provided assistance to Greece in the form of aircraft, personnel, and aid.
As the Greek authorities continue to assess the aftermath of the wildfires, the resilience and solidarity of the community shine through in the face of this devastating natural disaster.
