Greek authorities have deployed around 600 ground firefighting crews and approximately 30 water-dropping aircraft since dawn to combat wildfires across multiple locations.
On Thursday, firefighters managed to contain a major wildfire near Patras, the country’s third-largest city, while water-dropping aircraft battled fires on three other fronts.
Wildfires in Greece
The situation at the country’s main port leading to Italy has significantly improved after continuous efforts overnight.
Firefighters in Patras are still dealing with scattered “pockets” of fire, which remain active in the eastern suburbs of the city, home to over 200,000 people.
Officials evacuated a children’s hospital and a nursing home after flames dangerously approached the city in western Greece.
Major fires continue
Other large wildfires continued to burn on Thursday on the Ionian island of Zakynthos, the Aegean island of Chios, and near the city of Preveza in the west.
Reduced wind intensity has aided firefighting efforts. Greece has experienced significant wildfires this summer amid high temperatures, which scientists attribute to worsening climate change caused by human activity.
