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Greece fights wildfires in strong winds

A firefighting helicopter makes a water drop as a wildfire burns in Varnava, near Athens, Greece, August 11, 2024. Michalis Karagiannis/Eurokinissi via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. GREECE OUT. NO EDITORIAL OR COMMERCIAL SALES IN GREECE.

Greece is facing multiple wildfires as smoke engulfs parts of Athens, with extreme weather conditions expected to persist.

Despite quickly containing 33 out of 40 fires in the past 24 hours, firefighters are battling seven remaining blazes under challenging conditions.

The minister for civil protection warned of high-risk fire conditions due to heat, wind, and drought, with one fire near Athens emitting so much smoke that the city glowed red.

Efforts to combat the fires involve hundreds of firefighters, vehicles, and aircraft, as Greece faces a dangerous combination of temperatures and weather conditions.

‘Extremely high temperatures’

Experts predict a difficult day battling fires due to high winds and drought, with Greece experiencing a rise in wildfires attributed to human-induced climate change.

The country has been experiencing record temperatures, leading to longer and more intense wildfire seasons, emphasizing the need for urgent climate action.

Le Monde with AFP



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