Firefighters and helicopters battle fast-moving wildfire near Athens
A wind-driven wildfire west of Athens forced evacuations and a large emergency response on Sunday, as flames spread through dry forest near Porto Germeno. Greece is facing a severe wildfire emergency.
Firefighting crews and helicopters were locked in a battle against a fast-moving wildfire west of Athens on Sunday, with strong winds pushing the blaze across dry woodland. The fire was burning near the village of Porto Germeno, blanketing the area in thick smoke and visible flames.
Video footage from the scene showed ground teams struggling to contain the fire while helicopters carried out repeated water drops over the burning hillsides. The gusty wind made aerial operations particularly challenging, forcing pilots to approach the fire from difficult angles.
The wildfire has been burning since Friday and has already consumed a substantial area of forest, prompting authorities to order evacuations for nearby coastal communities. More than a hundred firefighters and over 20 aircraft have been deployed to the region as Greece continues to grapple with an intense wildfire crisis. Emergency services remain on high alert, working around the clock to prevent the flames from spreading further and to protect residents and their property.
