Greece Battles Raging Wildfires as Heatwave Hits 45°C

Greek emergency services were fighting to contain multiple wildfires on Saturday as the country endured the peak of a prolonged heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 45 degrees Celsius.

One of the most severe fire fronts was reported near the village of Drosopigi in northern Attica, just 30 kilometres from Athens.

Firefighters said the situation was particularly challenging due to strong winds blowing at 5 to 6 on the Beaufort scale.

Authorities ordered the evacuation of Drosopigi, and according to state-run Ertnews TV, at least one house in the area had already caught fire.

The Greek Civil Protection Agency had earlier issued a red Category 5 alert the highest level of wildfire risk for several regions across the country, citing dangerously hot and dry conditions.

Local officials have urged residents in affected areas to remain alert and follow evacuation orders promptly. Emergency services remain on high alert as high temperatures and wind continue to fan the flames.

This latest wildfire crisis comes amid a broader pattern of extreme weather events fueled by climate change, with southern Europe frequently hit by record-breaking heatwaves and forest fires in recent years.