Greece: Emergency crews continuing response to wildfires in Attica Region as of Aug. 13 /update 2

Emergency crews continue response operations due to wildfires burning in Attica Region to the northeast of Athens as of Aug. 13. The main fire broke out near Varnavas in the afternoon of Aug. 11 and has spread rapidly amid warm and windy conditions. The fire has grown to around 10,630 hectares (26,267 acres) in size and is threatening the suburbs of Athens. More than 700 firefighters and several aircraft are working to control the blaze; authorities have also activtaed Europe's mutual civil protection mechanisms and hundreds of other firefighters and equipment are due to arrive from other European nations in the coming days. Authorities have reported that there were no active fronts to the fire Aug. 13, but many localized hotspots continue to burn, especially around Marathon and Pendeli. Weaker winds have aided firefighting operations Aug. 13; however, high temperatures are forecast to continue in the region. Further wildfire growth is possible over the coming hours and days.

Authorities have issued evacuation orders for thousands of residents from dozens of settlements in the area surrounding the fire, including Marathon, Dinoysos, Rapentosa, Vothonas, Nea Makri, Varnava, Gramatiko, Stamata, Rodopoli, Mikrochori, Amygdaleza, Palea, and Nea Penteli areas. More information on evacuation orders can be found here. Depending on the fire's progress, officials may issue additional evacuation orders over the coming hours. At least three hospitals in Penteli have been evacuated and many roads in the vicinity of the fire are closed. Authorities have reported one fatality in Vrilissia and around 18 other people have been treated for smoke inhalation and burns. Many homes and vehicles have been burned by the fire; damage assessments are ongoing as of Aug. 13. Poor air quality due to smoke and power outages have been reported in parts of Athens.

Authorities will likely keep affected areas cordoned off to vehicular and pedestrian traffic as crews work to extinguish the blaze; the status of nearby roads will probably change over the coming hours. The fire and the emergency response may cause localized business disruptions. Authorities could evacuate additional communities due to fire activity and the need for response operations. Low visibility from smoke and ashfall could also contribute to traffic delays and congestion in the region and may disrupt operations at nearby airfields.