Authorities continue to tackle Greek wildfires

Firefighting efforts in Greece are beginning to yield results following the easing of high winds, which had previously disrupted operations and spread the fire.

A large wildfire near Athens continues to blaze, with authorities warning that areas surrounding the Greek capital continue to remain at high risk.

Despite this, improving weather conditions have allowed for the redeployment of 12 planes and 11 helicopters to fight that fire, in particular around the seaside resort of Porto Germeno.

Athens International Airport continues to operate normally despite the fire.

Aerial operations were briefly paused after two firefighting helicopters combatting the Athens fire collided with each other on 2 August.

A separate fire, in the Rethymno region of the island of Crete, has now been brought under control. That fire threatened a number of villages and tourist areas, including Agios Georgios, Agios Pavlos, Orne, Triopetra, and Agia Galini.

According to the Times newspaper, around 8,000 residents and visitors were temporarily evacuated from the area while the fires were out of control, spread by strong winds.

A number of other Greek islands – many of which are also popular tourist destinations in their own right – have been affected by wildfires, including Kefalonia, Paros, Kalymnos, Andros, Naxos and Lesvos.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) does not currently advise against travel to Greece, despite the ongoing fires.

However, it recommends that travellers are aware of the high risk of wildfires in Greece between April and October, and recommends that travellers register their phone to receive emergency alerts of fires in their location.

The FCDO also advised travellers not to litter, light barbecues, or leave cigarettes improperly extinguished due to the risk of causing a fire during the peak wildfire season – noting that even when caused unintentionally, starting a wildfire is a criminal offence in Greece.

Similar wildfires are affecting parts of France and Spain as well. French authorities recently urged tourists to avoid parts of southwest France after wildfires forced the evacuation of more than 220,000 people from the Gironde region.