On the foreign Scene
Over 600 firefighters, with support from various European nations, are currently engaged in combatting three significant wildfires in Greece.
The most extensive fire, spanning the northeastern regions of Evros and Alexandroupolis, has persisted for nine days, combining smaller fires to create one of the largest single wildfires in the history of the European Union.
According to reports, the blaze has caused a majority of the wildfire-related deaths in Greece over the past week and has severely damaged large areas of forest and homes in the outskirts of Alexandroupolis.
Another major wildfire on the northwestern outskirts of Athens has been burning for several days, affecting homes and encroaching upon Mount Parnitha’s national park, one of the few remaining green spaces near the city.
Additionally, a third significant wildfire emerged on Andros Island in the Cyclades on Saturday, still raging out of control. The Greek authorities have been grappling with a series of fires due to strong winds and dry summer conditions.
On Saturday , there were 122 fires, with 75 of them starting within a 24-hour span.
Given the strained firefighting resources, Greece has requested assistance from fellow European countries. Germany, Sweden, Croatia, and Cyprus have sent aircraft, and numerous firefighters from countries including Romania, France, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Albania, Slovakia, and Serbia are providing support on the ground.
