The prime minister of Greece has issued a warning to tourists, saying wildfires this summer could “be particularly dangerous”.
Parts of Greece have found themselves in tinderbox-like conditions thanks to prolonged drought and dry weather, which have combined with unusually strong winds to create raging infernos in places.
In the eastern Aegean, the islands of Chios and Kos were facing dangerous wildfires on Monday.
A helicopter drops water over a wildfire at Keratea. Pic: AP
Emergency services issued evacuation orders for the Metohi area of western Chios, telling people to head to a nearby beach.
Meanwhile, on the island of Kos, the fire department said that 20 firefighters, a helicopter and volunteers had combined forces to tackle a brush fire that had broken out in the centre of the island.
Two further fires affected a 24-acre area near the capital Athens.
During a cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said: “It is a summer which is expected to be particularly dangerous [for wildfires]… the most difficult times are still ahead of us.”
He added: “We have had an exceptionally difficult June regarding weather conditions, with high levels of drought and unusually strong winds for this season.”
Mr Mitsotakis said that the use of drones as an early warning system for wildfires had been particularly useful and increased coordination between authorities and volunteer firefighters had limited the extent of the damage so far as well.
He added that public help would be vital as the country enters “the tough core of the anti-fire period” through the heart of summer.
Flames rise next to a football stadium as a wildfire burns in Stamata. Pic:Reuters
A volunteer tries to extinguish a wildfire burning in Stamata. Pic: Reuters
Greece has scaled up its preparation this year, hiring more staff and increasing training, after last year extensive fires across the country killed more than 20 people and forced 19,000 to flee.
A firefighter and volunteers try to extinguish a wildfire burning in Stamata. Pic: Reuters
“Our arsenal might be stronger, but nothing – and that is seen in practice – beats being prepared, and for the public to also be involved in this collective defence against natural hazards,” Mr Mitsotakis added.
Hot, dry weather combined with strong winds have already proved to be fertile conditions for forest fires in both Greece and Turkey.
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On the back of a mild, dry winter, this summer is expected to be particularly prone to the fires.