Greece continues battling five major wildfires across the country as a severe heatwave brings extreme temperatures expected to persist through the weekend.
Temperatures are forecast to reach 44C (111.2F) on Sunday, with firefighters concentrating efforts on two significant blazes affecting the islands of Kythira and Evia.
Fire brigade spokesman Vasilios Vathrakogiannis reported that conditions had improved following an “all night battle,” but cautioned that Sunday’s fire risk remained “extremely dangerous.”
Turkey has also experienced unprecedented heat, recording its highest temperature as multiple fires burn across several regions. Turkey’s forestry minister Ibrahim Yumakli stated Sunday that fire-affected areas were “going through risky times” and predicted several days before full containment.
On Saturday, Turkey’s environment ministry announced meteorologists recorded 50.5C in the southeastern city of Silopi, exceeding the previous heat record of 49.5C. Firefighters have battled a four-day fire in northern Karabuk province, while ten people died fighting a fire in northwestern Eskisehir province on Wednesday. Some local authorities have imposed water consumption restrictions, including the western resort of Cesme.
Strong winds continued fueling flames throughout Sunday in Greece, prompting the country to formally request EU Civil Protection Mechanism assistance for six firefighting aircraft.
Climate crisis and civil protection minister Giannis Kefalogiannis stated: “We have injured firefighters, human lives were put at risk, properties have been burned, and forest areas have been destroyed.”
On Kythira, a blaze spread rapidly after erupting Saturday morning in Pitsinades village. Initial estimates suggest approximately 20% of the island has been affected. New evacuation alerts were issued Sunday ordering residents from several villages to evacuate. By dawn, firefighters continued tackling flare-ups with helicopter and water-bombing aircraft support.
On Evia island, officials reported a blaze near Pissona became “out of control” Saturday. Six firefighters were hospitalized with burns and smoke inhalation, while several villages lost power. Local authorities noted Sunday improvement signs, though significant flare-up risks remained due to strong winds.
In Messinia, a third wildfire began in the Polithea area of Trifylia Saturday morning, intensifying throughout the day. Officials reported significant damage to homes and agricultural areas.
Sunday’s update from Vathrakogiannis indicated 67 firefighters were addressing the Kythira fire and 100 were deployed in Messinia, where an active front persisted.
In Attica, where Athens is located, a fire starting in Afidnes Saturday spread rapidly through Drosopigi, Kryoneri and Agios Stefanos, forcing resident evacuations. While the fire service reports the main front is contained, scattered hotspots continue burning. The burning wood smell reached central Athens as Greece requested European Union assistance.
In Crete’s Chania region, firefighters are confronting a 20km wildfire front that has swept through forest land, beehives, crops and livestock. Strong southwesterly winds are complicating containment efforts, while several villages remain without electricity.
Last month, fires on Greece’s fifth-largest island Chios destroyed 4,700 hectares of land. Earlier in July, a Crete wildfire forced the evacuation of 5,000 tourists.
About the author
FBI Opens Major New Office in New Zealand to Counter China Threat
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has established a standalone office in Wellington, New Zealand, marking a significant expansion of US law enforcement presence in the Asia Pacific region. The move represents both countries' coordinated efforts to address Chinese influence across the region. FBI Director Kash Patel personally traveled to New Zealand to inaugurate the office, emphasizing the "strong relationship" between the FBI and New Zealand's law enforcement and intelligence agencies during Thursday's opening. Speaking in a video shared by the US embassy, Patel highlighted US-New Zealand collaboration on China-related issues as particularly significant. "Some of the most important global issues of our times are the ones that New Zealand and America work on together โ countering the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] in the Indo PACOM theatre, countering the narcotics trade, working together against cyber-intrusions and ransomware operations and, most importantly, […]
NBA Star Gilbert Arenas Arrested For Running Million Dollar Poker Ring From Mansion
Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas and five co-defendants face federal charges for allegedly operating an illegal gambling enterprise from his Encino, California mansion. The 43-year-old former guard is charged with conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators. He appeared for arraignment Wednesday afternoon in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles, facing a potential maximum sentence of five years in federal prison per count if convicted. Among those arrested Wednesday was 49-year-old Yevgeni Gershman, identified by the US Attorney's Office of the Central District of California as a suspected organized crime figure from Israel. According to the unsealed federal indictment, Arenas and his co-defendants operated the illegal gambling business between September 2021 and July 2022. Arenas rented his Encino mansion to co-conspirators who hosted illegal "Pot […]
Messi Delivers Last Second Miracle Pass to Save Inter Miami From Embarrassment
Lionel Messi recorded two assists, including a crucial setup in the match's final moments, as Inter Miami defeated Atlas 2-1 in their Leagues Cup opener at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The match marked Messi's return following a one-game suspension imposed by Major League Soccer for missing the All-Star game, along with teammate Jordi Alba. The 38-year-old Argentine proved decisive by setting up Marcelo Weigandt for the match-winning goal in stoppage time on Wednesday night. "It's a competition that we always do well in," Messi stated in Spanish during his post-match Apple TV interview. "I think we did a great job against a great team." Messi's first assist came in the 58th minute when he received a through ball from Sergio Busquets before delivering it to Telasco Segovia for an easy finish to open the scoring. Atlas responded through Rivaldo Lozano's equalizer […]
Russian Missiles Kill Six Including Child As Trump’s Peace Deadline Expires
At least six people were killed and more than 50 were wounded in a Russian drone and missile attack that hit multiple districts across Kyiv and collapsed an apartment building, Ukrainian officials reported. Among the fatalities was a six-year-old boy. Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, warned the death toll could increase, with damage reported at over two dozen locations throughout the capital. The distinctive sound of Russian drones was audible for hours over Kyiv, punctuated by the explosive impact of missile strikes. Despite the ongoing attacks, they have persisted even after US President Donald Trump threatened stronger sanctions against Moscow if Vladimir Putin fails to agree to a ceasefire by August 8. Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched 309 drones and cruise missiles overnight. While air defense systems intercepted some incoming projectiles, numerous strikes found their targets, […]
Deadly Shooting Erupts at Gaza Aid Site as Hundreds Gather for Food
At least 30 Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire while waiting for humanitarian aid in northern Gaza on Wednesday, according to the Hamas-run civil defence agency. A Gaza civil defence spokesperson reported that Israeli fire wounded approximately 300 additional people. Israeli officials stated that details of the incident "are still being examined." The Israeli Defense Forces said they fired "warning shots" after Gazans gathered around aid trucks located 3km southwest of the Zikim crossing, but claimed they were "not aware of any casualties" from their gunfire. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, confirmed his facility received 35 bodies following the incident. The hospital later reported at least 48 Palestinians were killed, according to Associated Press reports. In a separate incident Wednesday morning, Gaza hospital sources told the BBC that six Palestinians died near a Gaza Humanitarian […]
Trump EPA Chief Plans To Kill Climate Science Rule That Drives Green Regulations
The United States Environmental Protection Agency plans to revoke a key scientific finding on climate change that underpins major environmental and pollution regulations. EPA Administrator-designate Lee Zeldin announced Tuesday that the agency would eliminate the 2009 "endangerment finding" linking motor vehicle emissions to climate change and adverse health impacts. Speaking on the Ruthless podcast, Zeldin criticized current approaches to carbon emissions regulation, stating that advocates "say carbon dioxide is a pollutant and that's the end of it" without acknowledging "any type of benefit or need for carbon dioxide." "It's important to note, and they don't, how important it is for the planet," Zeldin said. The endangerment finding, established under President Barack Obama, provides the scientific foundation for regulating greenhouse gas emissions, including vehicle emissions standards. Conservative lawmakers and fossil fuel companies have repeatedly targeted the finding for repeal, though it […]
Related
FBI Opens Major New Office in New Zealand to Counter China Threat
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has established a standalone office in Wellington, New Zealand, marking a significant expansion of US law enforcement presence in the Asia Pacific region. The move represents both countries' coordinated efforts to address Chinese influence across the region. FBI Director Kash Patel personally traveled to New Zealand to inaugurate the office, emphasizing the "strong relationship" between the FBI and New Zealand's law enforcement and intelligence agencies during Thursday's opening. Speaking in a video shared by the US embassy, Patel highlighted US-New Zealand collaboration on China-related issues as particularly significant. "Some of the most important global issues of our times are the ones that New Zealand and America work on together โ countering the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] in the Indo PACOM theatre, countering the narcotics trade, working together against cyber-intrusions and ransomware operations and, most importantly, […]
NBA Star Gilbert Arenas Arrested For Running Million Dollar Poker Ring From Mansion
Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas and five co-defendants face federal charges for allegedly operating an illegal gambling enterprise from his Encino, California mansion. The 43-year-old former guard is charged with conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators. He appeared for arraignment Wednesday afternoon in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles, facing a potential maximum sentence of five years in federal prison per count if convicted. Among those arrested Wednesday was 49-year-old Yevgeni Gershman, identified by the US Attorney's Office of the Central District of California as a suspected organized crime figure from Israel. According to the unsealed federal indictment, Arenas and his co-defendants operated the illegal gambling business between September 2021 and July 2022. Arenas rented his Encino mansion to co-conspirators who hosted illegal "Pot […]
Russian Missiles Kill Six Including Child As Trump’s Peace Deadline Expires
At least six people were killed and more than 50 were wounded in a Russian drone and missile attack that hit multiple districts across Kyiv and collapsed an apartment building, Ukrainian officials reported. Among the fatalities was a six-year-old boy. Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, warned the death toll could increase, with damage reported at over two dozen locations throughout the capital. The distinctive sound of Russian drones was audible for hours over Kyiv, punctuated by the explosive impact of missile strikes. Despite the ongoing attacks, they have persisted even after US President Donald Trump threatened stronger sanctions against Moscow if Vladimir Putin fails to agree to a ceasefire by August 8. Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched 309 drones and cruise missiles overnight. While air defense systems intercepted some incoming projectiles, numerous strikes found their targets, […]
Deadly Shooting Erupts at Gaza Aid Site as Hundreds Gather for Food
At least 30 Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire while waiting for humanitarian aid in northern Gaza on Wednesday, according to the Hamas-run civil defence agency. A Gaza civil defence spokesperson reported that Israeli fire wounded approximately 300 additional people. Israeli officials stated that details of the incident "are still being examined." The Israeli Defense Forces said they fired "warning shots" after Gazans gathered around aid trucks located 3km southwest of the Zikim crossing, but claimed they were "not aware of any casualties" from their gunfire. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, confirmed his facility received 35 bodies following the incident. The hospital later reported at least 48 Palestinians were killed, according to Associated Press reports. In a separate incident Wednesday morning, Gaza hospital sources told the BBC that six Palestinians died near a Gaza Humanitarian […]
Trump EPA Chief Plans To Kill Climate Science Rule That Drives Green Regulations
The United States Environmental Protection Agency plans to revoke a key scientific finding on climate change that underpins major environmental and pollution regulations. EPA Administrator-designate Lee Zeldin announced Tuesday that the agency would eliminate the 2009 "endangerment finding" linking motor vehicle emissions to climate change and adverse health impacts. Speaking on the Ruthless podcast, Zeldin criticized current approaches to carbon emissions regulation, stating that advocates "say carbon dioxide is a pollutant and that's the end of it" without acknowledging "any type of benefit or need for carbon dioxide." "It's important to note, and they don't, how important it is for the planet," Zeldin said. The endangerment finding, established under President Barack Obama, provides the scientific foundation for regulating greenhouse gas emissions, including vehicle emissions standards. Conservative lawmakers and fossil fuel companies have repeatedly targeted the finding for repeal, though it […]
UK Sets September Deadline To Recognize Palestine Unless Israel Meets Peace Demands
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the United Kingdom will recognize Palestine as a state by September unless Israel takes specific actions to end the Gaza conflict and commit to lasting peace. Following an emergency cabinet meeting Tuesday, a government statement revealed Starmer's conditions: Israel must agree to a ceasefire, halt plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, and support a political path toward a two-state solution. Recognition could occur before the UN General Assembly in New York if these demands aren't met. The statement emphasized that "there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas" and outlined parallel demands for Hamas to release all hostages, agree to a ceasefire, accept exclusion from Gaza's future government, and disarm. Starmer called ministers back from summer holidays to discuss a draft European-led peace initiative and plans for increased humanitarian […]
Be the first to leave a comment