Wildfires in Greece are becoming more frequent and extreme every year due to climate change.
ADVERTISEMENTA wildfire on the island of Evia in southern Greece rages on, with nearby communtiies evacuated and more than 200 firefighters on-site.
A fire official has called it one of the most dangerous fires of the season so far.
Greece's wildfire season is getting longer with each year, in part due to extreme heat caused by human-caused climate change.
Evia was struck by massive wildfires in 2021 and also suffered extensive damage last summer.
Greece has already tackled hundreds of fires this summer, with the government saying they were bracing for a particularly difficult fire season.
Evia wildfire: What we know so far
The wildfire, which has been described as a "wall" of flames, started on Monday though its cause remains unknown.
It is burning on the south-east of Evia, which is about 90km nort-east of Athens.
The fire worsened overnight when firefighting planes and helicopters were unable to be airborne.
Reports say between four and nine local communities have been ordered to evacuate. Residents received text messages telling them to leave their homes. It is not yet clear where they have been told to shelter.
A fire official quoted in Greek media said the blaze threatens buildings and entire settlements.
205 firefighters and 56 vehicles are currently fighting the blaze.
According to news reports, 16 firefighting aircraft and 10 helicopters were deployed to assist crews on the ground on Tuesday morning.
There were no reports of any injuries at the time of writing
“We are in the heart of the fire season and the conditions according to the experts will become more difficult over the next few (weeks),” Fire Service spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said.
Why are there so many wildfires in Greece?
Europe is the fastest warming continent on Earth, despite also being one of the richest, and Greece is one of the countries worst affected by the effects of human-caused climate change.
ADVERTISEMENT“The Mediterranean is a hot spot of the climate crisis,” Dr Lagouvardos, research director at the National Observatory of Athens (NOA) told Euronews Green earlier this year. Southern Italy, Cyprus, Türkiye and northern African countries are also badly impacted by rising global temperatures.
In 2023, Greece was home to the EU's largest ever wildfire and endless heatwaves, which are starting earlier with each year.
This year, Greece's first heatwave struck in June, with six tourists losing their lives in the space of just a few weeks.
It can be easy to underestimate the effects of extreme heat on the body, especially if you are fit and healthy. But the impact are now well-documented and anyone who decides to go out during the hottest hours of the day should be very careful.
ADVERTISEMENTWith 2023 the hottest year on record, this year is likely to be even hotter, with the last 13 months breaking consecutive records.
The deadly consequences of global warming will only get more frequent and severe as long as fossil fuels continue to be burnt.
