Dozens of fires broke out across Greece on Tuesday, as temperatures began to climb, prompting evacuations, emergency alerts, and a massive firefighting response across the country.
Earlier in the day, firefighters discovered the body of a person near the village of Liti, outside Thessaloniki in northern Greece, where a wildfire led to the evacuation of nearby homes. Authorities have not yet released further details.
Later, at around 5 p.m., another wildfire erupted in farmland near Agios Dimitrios in Corinthia, in the Peloponnese. Emergency alerts issued through Greece’s 112 emergency warning system ordered residents in the villages of Filothei and Thimariona to evacuate toward Xylokeriza as flames spread through the area.
Emergency 112 alerts were also sent to residents in Akritas, Kilkis; Mariolates, Fokida in Central Greece; and Loutsa on Evia island, warning of active wildfires and urging people to follow instructions from authorities.
According to the Fire Department, 48 wildfires were reported across the country over the past 24 hours. Firefighters brought 40 of the blazes under control, while crews continue to battle the remaining fires as high temperatures and strong winds persist.
High Temperatures Expected
The National Meteorological Service has forecast even hotter weather on Wednesday, July 1, with temperatures expected to reach 38 degrees Celsius (100.4°F) in many parts of the country.
Strong winds are also expected across the Aegean Sea, while temporary cloud cover will develop over mainland Greece during the afternoon, bringing local showers and isolated thunderstorms, mainly in the northwest.
The Cyclades and Crete are set to remain cooler with temperatures ranging between 30 and 31 degrees Celsius.
Authorities Urge Vigilance
The General Secretariat for Civil Protection is urging residents and visitors to remain vigilant, avoid activities that could spark fires, and closely follow official instructions and emergency alerts as dangerous fire weather conditions persist across much of Greece.
