New fires broke out in Euboea and near Athens

The village of Figea has been partially evacuated. The fire spread towards the seaside resort of Marmari.

Less than two weeks after the end Devastating wildfires in northern Evia A new fire broke out in the south of the Greek island. According to the fire brigade, dozens of emergency services fought on Monday against the flames that broke out early this morning near the village of Figea and spread towards the seaside resort of Marmari. Strong winds made their work difficult.

According to the Greek news agency ANA, the first residents of the village were taken to safety. In addition, as a precautionary measure, the authorities provided ships for the evacuation of Marmari. The Greek Civil Defense had earlier expected an increased risk of fire in several regions of the country on Monday.

A fire broke out this afternoon about 60 km northwest of Athens. A densely forested area was affected by fires for the past week. This fire was contained only on Saturday. Police said they evacuated two villages as a precaution against the backdrop of the new fire and closed one of the highways. The Greek Civil Defense had already warned on Sunday of the increased risk of fire in several regions of the country in the coming days.

116,000 hectares of forest burned

Since the end of July, more than 116,000 hectares of forest have burned in hundreds of wildfires in Greece, killing at least three people. In addition to the islands of Evia and Rhodes, the Peloponnese and forest areas north and southeast of Athens were particularly affected.

The Greek government is blaming the worst heat wave in decades caused by climate change for the devastating fires.

(WHAT/AFP)