Greece battles wildfires west of Athens as thousands evacuate; France reports fires largely controlled

Wildfires erupted west of Athens on Saturday evening, forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents and tourists from multiple villages and towns, including Alepochori, Psatha, and Zachouli. The fires, fanned by strong winds, spread rapidly, with flames reportedly reaching over 20 meters high.

Firefighting efforts were severely challenged by the high winds, which made aerial operations difficult. While some limited helicopter activity was possible in the early evening as winds briefly subsided, nightfall brought a halt to air support. On the ground, approximately 500 firefighters, supported by international colleagues from Romania and France, along with numerous volunteers, struggled to contain the inferno. Heavy machinery, including excavators, was deployed to create firebreaks in an attempt to slow the blaze, which had already consumed an estimated 5,000 hectares, an area comparable to the city of Konstanz.

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If the wind does not subside, the disaster cannot be stopped.

The deputy governor of Boeotia, Giorgos Dasiotis, described the scene as "nightmarish," telling ERTNews that "if the wind does not subside, the disaster cannot be stopped." Hopes are now pinned on a predicted decrease in wind speeds on Sunday, which would allow firefighting planes and helicopters to resume operations more effectively. Meanwhile, in France, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that the country's recent major wildfires, particularly one in the southwest, are "largely under control." Despite this progress, authorities cautioned that "under control" does not mean extinguished, and crews remain engaged in managing smoke and embers across the affected regions. The French fire, described as "absolutely unprecedented," was attributed to unfavorable weather conditions including wind, high temperatures, and drought.

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In large part, the fires in our country are now under control.