Greece: Major wildfire near southeast Athens coastal districts of Glyfada, Voula

A fast-moving wildfire erupted on Saturday to the north of the coastal upscale southeast Athens district of Glyfada, before extending further southeast to the even pricier Voula district. Both municipalities are border to the north with southern foothills of Mt. Hymettus, which overlooks the greater Athens area from east.

A large contingent of fire-fighters and volunteers were battling the blaze, the first major wildfire of the 2022 summer season. One problem faced by firefighters was swirling winds.

At least four residences have been burned, along with cars.

Authorities were investigating an initial report of an electrical grid transporter causing the fire.

Wildfires in much of southern Greece are an annual summer scourge, with scores of people dying in such incidents since 2017, and tens of thousands of hectares in pine forests and brushland going up in smoke.

Civil Protection issued a warning late afternoon Saturday to residents of Ano Voula and neighboring areas to evacuate their homes, as the wildfire that started in Ano Glyfada is burning its way into their vicinity.

Police officers are also going door-to-door to let people know that they should evacuate to the area’s Alsos Square, as per instructions in the civil protection’s emergency text message. The text message was sent from the 112 emergency number.

Meanwhile, 72 firefighters with 20 fire engines and 3 ground teams are assisted by 6 water-bombing aircraft, 5 helicopters and municipal water tanks in battling the wildfire that started early Saturday afternoon at the foothills of Mt. Hymettus in Ano Glyfada.

Road traffic at Hymettus Road is diverted from Apollonos Road towards the area of Kremasmenos Lagos, and traffic is also diverted at the intersection of Makedonomaxon and Herodotus roads; it is also diverted in the area of Panorama in Voula, at the intersections of Troias with Priamou Ektoros & Patroklou roads, and of Thessalias and Amartolon roads.

According to the latest information, high winds in the area are fanning the fire into burning several groves and parks in the area of Panorama, in Ano Voula.

One residential home has reportedly been burnt, and many more have had their exterior damaged by the flames.