A view of a burned-out area in Psatha, Tuesday. [Louisa Gouliamaki/Reuters]
Wildfires in Greece have forced more than 10,000 residents and visitors from their homes, with burned land expected to top 20,000 hectares, WWF Greece said in its first assessment.
Satellite estimates show more than 18,000 hectares scorched since late July in major fires on Crete, Paros, southern Viotia and western Attica, with final mapping pending for other areas. The fires damaged homes, farmland, crops, olive groves, infrastructure and businesses, straining local communities.
WWF voiced concern over land burned twice in under 20 years, especially in western Attica, warning repeated fires reduce forests’ ability to recover naturally, raising the risk of permanent degradation and desertification.
Fire crews reported easing conditions on Tuesday after five grueling days in Viotia and Attica, though flare-up fears kept 575 firefighters and 32 aircraft on alert. Authorities declared a red alert Wednesday for Attica, Evia, Lesvos, Chios and the North Aegean.
