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Greek wildfire spreads to edge of Athens; towns, health centers evacuated

A fastmoving wildfire sustained by galeforce winds spread to the edge of Athens on Monday, torching trees, homes and cars and forcing evacuations of several healthcare facilities and a dozen towns and villages, Greek authorities said.

Hundreds of wildfires have broken out across Greece because May. While summer season fires are common in Greece, extraordinarily hot and dry weather connected to climate modification have made blazes more regular and extreme. Wildfires fanned by extreme heat have likewise raved this month in parts of Spain and the Balkans.

More than 670 firemens backed by volunteers, 183 fire engines, 32 waterbombing aircrafts and helicopters fought the newest wildfire that broke out at 3 p.m. (midday GMT) on Sunday near Varnavas 35 km (20 miles) north of the capital.

By Monday the blaze, the worst in Greece this year, had actually advanced to the village of Grammatiko, the beach town of Nea Makri and the fringes of Athens' densely populated northern suburbs at the heavily woody Mount Penteli.

It hurts, we have actually grown up in this forest. We feel excellent unhappiness and anger, 24-year old Penteli resident Marina Kalogerakou informed Reuters outside her home, which the flames had almost reached.

Strong winds were constantly altering the direction of the fire and the level of the location swallowed up by flames was estimated at 30 km (18.64 miles).

Winds were anticipated to get further in the coming hours, exacerbating the blaze, stated Theodore Giannaros, scientist at the National Observatory of Athens. We have a. extremely hard day ahead of us, he informed state TV ERT.

Firefighting airplane resumed operations early on Monday. after an over night time out. Authorities said they had actually helped leave. at least 250 people in threat. Some homeowners spent the night in. shelters but authorities could not yet offer a specific number.

At least 3 health centers and a number of neighborhoods had actually been. left in the Penteli location.

The blaze, with flames as high as 25 metres (82 feet), had. spread like lightning due to gale-force winds, fire brigade. representative Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said on Sunday.

Thick clouds of smoke darkened the sky over Athens by Sunday. night. Hours later on, the flames were nearing the property. residential area of Dionysos about 23 km (14 miles) northeast of the city. centre, and close-by districts.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the fire. brigade's operations centre on Monday early morning after hurrying back. from a holiday break on the island of Crete - with memories. still fresh of a 2018 fire that killed 104 people in the seaside. town of Mati, near the capital.

After its hottest winter on record and extended periods of. little or no rainfall, Greece is anticipated to tape-record its. hottest-ever summer season. It is on high fire alert at least up until. Thursday with temperatures forecast at as much as 40 Celsius (104. Fahrenheit).

Unfortunately the projections ... were validated, Climate. Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said in a. telecasted statement. The state's response was instant, he. stated, and the very first airplane were operating 5 minutes after. the wildfire broke out.

(source: Reuters)