Inferno in Varnava: Greece Battles Devastating Wildfire

Amid strong winds and scorching temperatures, residents of Varnava village near Athens evacuated as fire crews faced challenges containing a rapid wildfire. Authorities issued evacuation alerts and mobilized extensive resources as wildfires surged, aggravated by Greece's record-hot summer and climate change impacts.

Residents of Varnava village near Athens evacuated their homes on Sunday as fire crews struggled to contain a rapid-moving wildfire fueled by hot, windy weather.

Over 250 firefighters, backed by 12 water-bombing planes and seven helicopters, fought the blaze that erupted around 3 p.m., quickly reaching the village 35 km north of Athens. Thick clouds of brown smoke hovered over parts of the capital by late afternoon.

Authorities issued evacuation alerts for five nearby areas. "The fire entered the village within 10 minutes. The winds were very strong," a Varnava resident said, having fled with her children and dog. Fire brigade spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakogiannis mentioned gale force winds had significantly enlarged the blaze, with flames reaching heights of 25 meters.

Hundreds of wildfires have erupted across Greece this summer, following its hottest June and July on record. Experts link the wildfire spread to increasingly hot, dry weather caused by global climate change. Another fire near the town of Megara was contained by Sunday afternoon.

Various regions in Greece remained on high fire alert for the upcoming days. "We are expecting a very difficult week," stated Kostas Lagouvardos, research director of the Athens Observatory. Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias has called for emergency measures, involving army, police, and volunteers, to combat forest fires through mid-August.

(With inputs from agencies.)