| 2024 Attica wildfires | |
|---|---|
 NASA satellite image showing a cloud of smoke over Attica on August 12, 2024 | |
| Date(s) | 11–14 August 15:02 – |
| Location | Attica, Greece |
| Coordinates | 38°14′40″N 23°55′43″E / 38.244529°N 23.928745°E |
| Statistics | |
| Burned area | 8,594.2 hectares / 85.94km2 / 21,236.73 acres |
| Impacts | |
| Deaths | 1 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 2[1] |
| Ignition | |
| Cause | heat wave, wind |
On the afternoon of 11 August 2024, a wildfire fire hit the northeastern Attica region of Greece. The fire broke out in the area of Varnavas, northeast of Athens, at 3:02 PM, according to Fire Colonel Vassileios Vathrakogiannis, the Fire Service spokesman and quickly spread due to strong winds. The flames caused the evacuation of many settlements and caused severe damage to homes and forest lands. The fire continues to burn, affecting significant parts of northeastern Attica and threatening the northern districts of Athens.[2]
The fire spread southward and burned on three fronts, including the village of Grammatiko, the town of Marathon, the seaside municipality of Nea Makri and Mount Penteli.[1]
Another blaze in a forested area near the town of Megara, west of Athens, started on 11 August, but had been contained by the afternoon of 12 August, according to the fire brigade.[3]
- ^ a b c "Greece: Emergency crews continuing response to wildfires in Varnavas, Attica Region, as of early Aug. 12 /update 1". Greece: Emergency crews continuing response to wildfires in Varnavas, Attica Region, as of early Aug. 12 /update 1. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ "Attica wildfires: One contained, another still developing". eKathimerini.com. 11 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ "People flee wildfire near Athens as it spreads 'like lightning'". www.euractiv.com. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.