New evacuations ordered in Greece as high winds and heat fuel wildfires

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Title: Greece Faces Worsening Wildfires Amid Evacuations, International Aid, and Climate Concerns

Greece is grappling with an escalating wildfire crisis, driven by strong winds and scorching heat waves. The Greek resort island of Rhodes witnessed a week-old wildfire surge past defenses, triggering further evacuations. The situation worsened as three major fires raged in other parts of the country, with authorities responding to the largest evacuation effort in recent years.

Approximately 19,000 people, mostly tourists, were evacuated from south Rhodes to escape the advancing flames, which extended from nearby mountains to several coastal areas. The Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, characterized the situation as being at war with the fires, emphasizing the necessity to remain vigilant in the days and weeks ahead.

International aid poured in from the European Union and neighboring countries, with firefighting planes from Turkey joining the fight in Rhodes. However, challenging conditions persisted, as temperatures soared above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) on the mainland.

Numerous evacuees shared harrowing accounts of their escape, with limited resources and chaotic scenes. A businessman from London described walking several kilometers to reach safety, while fire outbreaks near hotels necessitated immediate action from staff, guests, and firefighters.

In addition to Rhodes, other Greek islands, including Corfu and Evia, faced evacuation orders, and the mainland’s Peloponnese region was also affected by wildfires.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged additional assistance to Greece due to the devastating forest fires and extreme heat waves associated with climate change.

Greece has been experiencing an average of 50 new wildfires daily for the past 12 days, with the situation intensifying on Sunday, witnessing 64 new blazes. The Rhodes fire destroyed homes, vehicles, and claimed the lives of livestock.

Meanwhile, Italy also struggled with wildfires, particularly in Sicily and Calabria, where high temperatures persisted for weeks.

The fires prompted several airlines to evacuate tourists from Rhodes, a popular holiday destination. However, some tourists expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of information and support from travel companies.

As the wildfire situation evolves, Greece utilized EU satellite services to assess the extent of the damage and allocate resources efficiently. The army contributed by setting up temporary accommodation on Rhodes, utilizing schools and sporting facilities.

Despite a temporary respite from extreme heat on Monday, temperatures were expected to rise again from Tuesday. Concerns about climate change impact were highlighted by Prime Minister Mitsotakis, who predicted more frequent and severe natural disasters in the Mediterranean region.

The situation remained critical, prompting ongoing efforts from international partners and local authorities to combat the wildfires, protect lives, and preserve the natural landscapes affected by this environmental catastrophe.

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• AP News: Greece Wildfires and Evacuations
• BBC News: Greece wildfires spread, prompting evacuations
• Reuters: Greece wildfires – International aid and evacuations
• Al Jazeera: Climate change impact on wildfires in the Mediterranean
• The Guardian: Escaping the Greek wildfires – tourists’ experiences
• The New York Times: Italy wildfires and extreme heat
• CNN: Wildfires and tourism impact in Rhodes
• European Union Earth Observation Programme
• NBC News: Greek wildfires – Latest updates