Firefighters in Greece are racing to contain wildfires west of Athens, taking advantage of a lull in high winds. Crews are focused on strengthening containment lines as meteorological forecasts indicate the return of stronger gusts and increased temperatures in the coming days.
Overnight, several fires that had spread through mountain communities and coastal areas west of the Greek capital were brought under control. Throughout the morning, aircraft and helicopters continued to drop water within the established perimeters to extinguish remaining hotspots while the winds remained calm.
The Hellenic Army has deployed tracked earth-moving vehicles to create firebreaks across the scarred hillsides. Simultaneously, specialized units are entering forest areas on foot to put out smoldering embers, aiming to prevent any potential reignition.
Crews are working under time pressure, as winds are expected to intensify in the afternoon. This coastal phenomenon is common in the Mediterranean during summer months, when the land heats up faster than the sea, creating stronger onshore breezes.
Earlier, the blaze had breached containment lines. More than 1,000 individuals were evacuated from the vicinity of the seaside resort town of Porto Germeno and other areas west of Athens. Additionally, over 250 people were rescued by boat from beaches in the region.