Greece: Attica region threatened with desertification due to forest fires

Northeastern Attica has once again been at the mercy of forest fires this year. After two days of fires in which they fought a front of tens of kilometers, on the third day, firefighters continued to fight several fires in various locations.

Some areas remain without water and electricity, as the damage to infrastructure is extensive. One of the worst-hit areas is Varnavas, where the fire broke out.

Residents had to leave their homes:

”I went in by myself and when the firefighters saw that I had entered the house, they followed me. I saved what I could from the house. They told us that the electricity would come back in about a month and we don’t know anything about the water”. Said one resident.

Experts are now warning that the risk of desertification in Attica is enormous. An estimated 40% of the surrounding forest has disappeared in recent years as the nightmare repeats itself.

Residents in many parts of Attica have experienced dramatic moments in the past 24 hours. Some have fought the flames to save their homes, others have returned today, anxious after their holidays or after an evacuation, to see what has happened to their belongings.

The damage count has already begun and concern remains as temperatures are very high and the winds have not calmed down.

The fire, which has crossed a vast forest area of ​​about 20 kilometers, has reached the urban fabric. In the suburb of Vrillisia, the flames threaten from three different fronts.

Iannis PISIMISIS is the Mayor of Vrilissia

”The forest had been cleared of low vegetation and pruning had also been carried out in the upper part of the pines, this is pruning the trees to 2-2.5 metres, in order not to have all this flammable material and not to spread the fire in a way that would create very big problems.”. He said.

Many houses were destroyed by the fires in Nea Penteli as well. The closed gymnasium of the town and the school located right next to it suffered serious damage.