Forest fires in Greece burn for fifth consecutive day with no respite in sight

(Patria) - Greece struggled to contain a forest fire west of Athens that on Friday burned forest land for a fifth day as another heatwave hit the country, AFP reported.

Firefighters, supported by water-dropping aircraft and reinforcements from several countries, including Cyprus, France, Israel and Italy, tried to control the fire that broke out on Monday in the wider Athens area, destroying homes and forcing evacuations.

More than 100 homes and businesses were severely damaged in this fire and another near Athens that authorities extinguished earlier this week.

The government on Friday announced aid measures for affected households, including financial assistance and rent subsidies.

Two other forest fires on the island of Rhodes and in the Lakonia region in southern Greece were brought under control on Friday.

Εξω από τα Λαερμα #Ροδος #φωτια
📽️0᾽.19᾽᾽ pic.twitter.com/eJUOGamivh

— antonis kelaidonis (@antonkelaidon) July 21, 2023

Climate Crisis Minister Vassilis Kikilias called on people to remain vigilant. The risk of forest fires in the coming days will remain high, with heat expected following the previous heatwave.

"We have a very difficult three-day period ahead, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with extreme weather conditions and very high temperatures accompanied by strong winds," the minister said, adding that after a brief respite from the middle of next week, another heatwave is forecast.

With temperatures expected to reach 45 degrees Celsius on Saturday and Sunday, during the peak of the summer tourist season, the Ministry of Culture announced that all archaeological sites, including the Acropolis monument, will be closed between 12:00 and 17:30 until July 23.