A ferocious wildfire continues to tear through the Dirfyon Messapion area of Evia, as hundreds of firefighters struggle to contain the blaze amidst strong winds and rugged terrain.
The fire, parked late Wednesday, has rapidly spread, fueled by dry conditions and gusts reaching up to 8 Beaufort.
Local authorities have evacuated several villages as a precaution, but the fire's relentless advance has left a trail of destruction in its wake. Thick smoke billows across the region, reducing visibility and creating hazardous air quality conditions.
Firefighting efforts have been intensified, with ground crews working alongside aerial units to douse the flames.
Reinforcements have arrived from across Greece, and even from Moldova, as the country grapples with one of its most challenging fire seasons in recent years.
The cause of the Evia wildfire remains under investigation, but experts point to the combination of extreme heat and drought as key contributing factors.
As the battle against the flames rages on, residents are being urged to remain vigilant and follow evacuation orders. The coming days will be critical in determining the full extent of the damage and the success of containment efforts.
Meantime, a devastating wildfire on Mount Orvilos, spanning the Greek-Bulgarian border, has been raging for 14 days, consuming approximately 1,500 hectares of land.
The blaze came dangerously close to the Greek village of Achladohori, triggering evacuation alerts for residents.
Sixty Greek firefighters, supported by aerial and ground resources, are tirelessly battling the flames.
The fire has also spread into Bulgaria, prompting the deployment of additional resources, including EU-provided firefighting planes. Bulgarian military personnel are also actively engaged in the firefighting efforts.
Efforts are hampered by the presence of a World War II-era minefield in the area, which has caused explosions during the firefighting operations.
Despite the challenges, close coordination between Greek and Bulgarian authorities continues, with most firefighting efforts focused on aerial operations due to dangerous ground conditions.