Firefighters Work to Contain Wildfires in Greece

Firefighters Work to Contain Wildfires in Greece as Thousands Evacuated

Firefighters addressed wildfires on Thursday near Athens and on the island of Crete, resulting in the evacuation of thousands from holiday resorts. In neighboring Turkey, wildfires have resulted in at least two fatalities.

More than 5,000 tourists, hotel workers, and residents were evacuated from the Ierapetra area along Crete's southern coast, according to authorities and hotel association officials. A small number of individuals entered the sea and were assisted by local fishermen and divers.

Ierapetra Mayor Manolis Frangoulis stated that firefighters were working to prevent flare-ups and to use a period of reduced winds to their advantage.

"Thankfully no one was hurt but it's a difficult situation," he said.

Displaced tourists were relocated to other hotels or spent the night in an indoor basketball stadium. Several homes and businesses were damaged. Volunteers found deceased farm animals, some of which were burned while confined in sheds.

Separately, a wildfire near the port of Rafina, approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) east of Athens, disrupted local ferry services to the islands. Police assisted elderly residents during an evacuation order by going door-to-door.

In western Turkey, a local forestry worker died while attempting to contain a fire near the town of Odemis, and an 81-year-old resident died from smoke inhalation, according to authorities. These were the first reported fatalities in a series of wildfires that have led to the evacuation of thousands.

Wildfire Response in Turkey

Hundreds of firefighters, supported by aircraft and helicopters, were deployed to address a wildfire near the Aegean coastal town of Cesme, located about 190 kilometers (120 miles) west of Odemis.

This fire, which began on Wednesday, led to the evacuation of three neighborhoods and road closures. Television footage showed flames moving through dry vegetation on both sides of a highway.

Over the past week, Turkey has experienced numerous wildfires, influenced by strong winds, high temperatures, and low humidity. Most of these fires are now under control, but approximately 200 homes have been damaged or destroyed.

Climate and Legislative Developments

Wildfires during the summer are common in both Greece and Turkey. Experts indicate that climate change is contributing to more severe conditions.

Late Wednesday, Turkey's parliament passed a climate law aiming for net-zero emissions by 2053. The legislation includes the creation of a carbon market board to oversee efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The law was enacted as Turkey addresses challenges related to climate change, including high temperatures and prolonged droughts.

"As a Mediterranean country, Turkey is highly vulnerable to climate change," said Gizem Koc, a lawyer with the U.K.-based environmental advocacy group ClientEarth. "The most striking vulnerability is the drought and water stress in some regions, but also there is increasing frequency of floods and other extreme weather events."