A wildfire that broke out near the village of Ano Souli, about 40 kilometres northeast of Athens, has been largely contained, according to Greek fire brigade officials and Reuters eyewitnesses. Around 140 firefighters, supported by 38 fire engines and 18 aircraft, continue efforts to fully extinguish the blaze, which had earlier prompted evacuations in Ano Souli and nearby Marathonas.
The fire, which burned through dense forest, was reported to be no longer spreading by early afternoon, thanks in part to the absence of strong winds—a key factor that typically worsens such events in Greece’s hot summer months.
In recent years, Greece has been increasingly vulnerable to the dual threat of wildfires and floods, intensified by climate change. The government has spent hundreds of millions of euros on compensation for damage and on upgrading its firefighting infrastructure. This year, a record number of firefighters have been hired in anticipation of another severe wildfire season.
The country still recalls the devastating wildfire in northern Greece in 2023, one of Europe’s largest, which burned for weeks and claimed over 20 lives. Another major fire last year reached suburban areas of Athens, prompting widespread evacuations.
Swifteradio.com
