Greece battles new fire near Athens driven by winds

Athens, Greece is grappling with a new wildfire near the city, driven by strong winds exceeding 70 kilometers per hour. This marks the second fire in the area this summer, following a blaze that erupted 10 days ago, northwest of the capital. The Kouvaras fire, located approximately 60 kilometers southeast of Athens, has prompted the deployment of 172 firefighters and 40 vehicles.

Two water-bombing aircraft and four helicopters are also on the scene, working to contain the blaze. Civil protection authorities have ordered the evacuation of Agios Stylianos, a village near Kouvaras. The fire has been exacerbated by gusts reaching up to 130 kilometers per hour, making it challenging to bring under control. The incident has been exacerbated by the region's extreme alert status, with several areas classified at a very high fire risk.

Greece has been experiencing a rise in frequent and intense wildfires, which scientists attribute to climate change. The country remains on high alert, and experts have warned about the increasing severity of fires in Attica, the region housing Athens. From 2017 to 2026, 42 percent of the total forest area in the region has burned due to 15 major fires.