Greece and Western Balkans Ravaged by Wildfires: Villages Evacuated Amid Scorching Heat

Firefighters across Greece and the Western Balkans are battling widespread wildfires as southern Europe endures its third heatwave of the summer. Several villages and settlements in Greece and Albania were evacuated on Saturday as flames spread rapidly due to high temperatures and strong winds.

Explosions were heard near the village of Drosopigi, located 25 kilometres north of Athens, where fires approached factories containing flammable materials. Thick smoke blanketed the area as 145 firefighters, supported by 44 vehicles, seven helicopters and ten aircraft, fought to bring the blaze under control. Two houses were reported to have caught fire. Authorities instructed residents of nearby Krioneri village to evacuate towards Athens. Five individuals were hospitalised due to burns and smoke inhalation.

The Greek National Meteorological Service forecast temperatures of up to 44 degrees Celsius on Saturday. “In just the past 24 hours, 52 agroforestry fires have broken out, 44 of which were tackled immediately at an early stage,” stated Fire Brigade spokesperson Vassilios Vathrakogiannis.

Fires Intensify on Greek Islands

On the island of Evia, 128 firefighters and 29 vehicles were deployed, aided by six aircraft and seven helicopters. However, strong winds significantly hampered operations. Residents in the Triada area were evacuated, with two fire trucks damaged and five firefighters injured during the intervention. The Evia blaze is one of several this month, fuelled by dry conditions and high winds.

On Kythera island, multiple settlements were evacuated, and the Coast Guard reported rescuing 138 people — including an infant — from Limnionas beach as flames drew dangerously close.

In the Messinia region, south of Athens, residents in the villages of Kryoneri and Sellas were also ordered to evacuate. These areas were already listed as high-risk zones for wildfires due to record-breaking heat and persistent winds.

Albania and Kosovo Grapple With Fire Emergencies

Neighbouring Albania recorded 26 wildfires on Saturday alone. A major blaze near the southern town of Delvina on Friday injured three people and prompted the evacuation of approximately 2,000 residents.

In Kosovo, authorities said they had extinguished 17 fires driven by strong winds, while 12 remained active. In the southern town of Prizren, a farm was engulfed in flames, resulting in the deaths of eight cows. Local media reported another fire in eastern Kosovo that killed around 40 sheep.

Climate Change Raising the Stakes

Greece and other Mediterranean countries lie in what scientists describe as a "wildfire hotspot", with blazes increasingly common during hot, dry summers. Experts warn that climate change is making these fires more destructive each year and are calling for a new, more robust approach to prevention and emergency response.

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