A series of devastating wildfires sweeping through southern Greece and western Turkey have led to the evacuation of thousands of residents and tourists.
These fires, driven by extreme heat, fierce winds, and dry conditions, have tragically resulted in fatalities in Turkey and raised alarms about a prolonged fire threat in the area. This information comes from reports by AFP.
Thousands Evacuated on the Island of Crete
In Greece, firefighters are currently tackling several significant blazes, particularly near the resort town of Ierapetra in southeastern Crete. The fire ignited on Wednesday evening, and with the flames spreading rapidly and high winds at play, authorities had to evacuate around 3,000 tourists and 2,000 residents, most of whom were moved overnight. Tourists were relocated to safer spots in the northern part of the island.
Local officials noted that firefighting aircraft were grounded overnight due to strong winds hitting level nine on the Beaufort scale, which severely hampered efforts to control the fire. Additionally, the rugged terrain surrounding Ierapetra has made it tough for ground crews to access the affected areas.
A separate wildfire broke out Thursday afternoon near the port town of Rafina, about 30 kilometers east of Athens. Local authorities reported damage to at least five or six homes. Around 300 people were evacuated, and the firefighting response involved approximately 170 firefighters, 48 fire engines, 17 aircraft, and seven helicopters.
Turkey Reports Fatalities as Fires Ravage Izmir Province
In Turkey’s Izmir province, wildfires have already claimed at least two lives. Fires erupted in two different areas around the country’s third-largest city, prompting evacuations in three villages. Opposition MP Salih Uzun confirmed that an elderly, immobile man lost his life in the fire near Ödemiş, while the second victim was a forest worker.
Power Line Failures Behind Recent Fires
Authorities believe that the wildfires in Izmir and others reported in recent days were caused by sparks or short circuits from overhead power lines. Turkey’s Agriculture Minister Ibrahim Yumakli stated that power infrastructure faults—particularly under heavy load, compounded by dry conditions and strong winds—have been the source of many recent blazes.
Turkish meteorologist Ismail Küçük further warned that up to 90 percent of wildfires in the region stem from human activities. In his view, aging or poorly maintained electrical systems pose a major threat in increasingly fire-prone environments.
Greece Issues Ongoing Fire Risk Warnings for July
Greek officials have issued a public warning that the fire risk in July—typically the hottest month of the year—will remain “significant.” In 2024, Greece experienced its hottest summer on record, with over 45,000 hectares of land burned according to WWF and the National Observatory of Athens. However, 2023 remains the worst year to date in terms of total land area destroyed by wildfires, with 175,000 hectares scorched and 20 lives lost.
Experts point to climate change as a driving force behind the frequency and severity of fires in the Mediterranean region. They are urging Turkey, Greece, and other nations to strengthen preventive measures and adapt to increasingly extreme weather conditions.
