Athens suburbs face urgent evacuations as wildfires rage near the Greek capital

A massive wildfire north of Athens has forced the evacuation of multiple suburbs, threatening lives and property as firefighters battle to contain the blaze.

DW reports

---

In short:

• More than 670 firefighters and 30 aircraft have been deployed to combat wildfires threatening areas north of Athens.
• Evacuations include a children’s hospital, military clinic, and several towns, with the fire spreading rapidly despite efforts.
• Greece’s record-high temperatures and strong winds are fueling the fires, with climate change cited as a significant factor.

Key quote:

“Civil protection forces battled hard throughout the night, but despite superhuman efforts, the fire evolved rapidly.”

— Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, fire department spokesman

Why this matters:

As temperatures rise and dry conditions persist, these blazes are becoming more frequent and severe, putting lives, health, and entire ecosystems at risk. For families and healthcare workers in Greece, it's a nightmare scenario, one that’s becoming all too familiar. Read more: How do wildfires impact your health?