Athens, August 12 – Forest fires have erupted in Greece and Spain, wreaking havoc on large areas and prompting urgent responses from authorities.

In Greece, fires ignited in forested areas near Athens on August 11, rapidly spreading due to strong winds. The Barnavas region alone has seen approximately 100 km² of forest burned. The blaze has reached heights of up to 25 meters (80 feet) in some locations, prompting the evacuation of residents from ten nearby villages. Firefighting efforts involve around 2,500 personnel, supported by 12 aircraft and 7 helicopters. The country’s Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister, Vassilis Kikilias, warned of continuing dangerous weather conditions. Medical centers in Athens have been placed on high alert due to thick brown smoke blanketing various parts of the capital.

Simultaneously, Spain faces its own fire crisis in the northeastern region. Firefighters are using aircraft to spray water in an attempt to prevent the fires from reaching residential areas. Both countries are struggling to contain the fires amid ongoing challenges from extreme weather conditions.