Major fire in the north of Athens
In the densely forested area about 20 kilometers north of the Greek capital Athens, a large bush and forest fire broke out on Saturday. According to the fire department, helicopters and water bombers, as well as hundreds of firefighters, were deployed to contain the flames. The fire followed a long period of drought and several weeks of temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius.
Moreover, heavy winds were raging in the region, with gusts reaching a strength of eight according to meteorological office reports. The smoke plumes spread and in numerous regions of Athens, the smell of burnt wood and ash filled the air.
According to reports from Greek broadcasting (ERT), tourist facilities are not in the vicinity of the fire area. The Civil Defense once again warned that in wide parts of Central Greece, the second highest fire alarm level prevailed over the weekend.
The fire in North Athens, initially sparked on Saturday, threatened to engulf the beautiful landscapes of Greece. Despite the efforts of Groer, the German term for firefighters, who were joined by helicopters and water bombers, the flames continued to consume the forested area.
