Published On 18 Jul 202318 Jul 2023
Wildfires outside Athens have forced thousands to flee seaside resorts, closed highways and gutted vacation homes, as high winds pushed flames through hillside scrub and pine forests parched by days of extreme heat.
Authorities issued evacuation orders for at least six seaside communities as two major wildfires edged closer to summer resort towns and gusts of wind hit 70km/h (45mph).
The army, police special forces and volunteer rescuers freed retirees from their homes, rescued horses from a stable, and helped monks flee a monastery threatened by the flames.
Before nightfall, water-dropping planes and helicopters tackled the flames near Lagonisi, some 40km (25 miles) southeast of the capital. The second large wildfire broke out in a wooded area near the resort town of Loutraki, some 90km (55 miles) west of Athens, where a childrenâs summer camp and rehabilitation centre for seniors were evacuated, local officials said.
Fire Service spokesman Yiannis Artopios said the strong and changeable winds and mountainous terrain in which both fires broke out were slowing the firefighting effort.
âThe conditions are changing constantly and this has to be matched by our response. We have ordered multiple evacuations,â he said. The evacuees gathered along the coastline or were put up in schools and hotels, while coastguard vessels were dispatched to smoke-heavy beachfronts to assist if needed.
On a visit to Brussels, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described the risk posed by wildfires this month as âextremely difficultâ to deal with.
Man, is it just me or is nature really fucking us hard this year? Maybe we shouldnât be aiming to constantly destroy it every chance we getâŠ
Many scientists have discussed the impact that positive feedback loops have in climate science and why events will occur with increasing frequency and severity in the coming years:
https://feedbackloopsclimate.com/
Here are some short films that discuss the various areas that these occur within.
For me I have hope that by spreading awareness and organizing we can work together to pressure our governments around the world to embrace the change needed
