Firefighters in Greece get upper hand on deadly wildfire raging outside Athens
The massive wildfire broke out north of Greece on Sunday afternoon, and for approximately 40 hours, more than 700 firefighters, with the support of forest commando teams, ground units and aerial units, including 17 airplanes and 18 helicopters, relentlessly fought back the flames to protect as many lives and buildings as possible.
Watch: Toxic smoke fills the sky near Athens as deadly wildfire rages in Greece
A video shared from Greece shows thick, toxic smoke filling the sky outside Athens on Monday as a deadly wildfire raged while terrified residents fled for safety.
ATHENS, Greece – A continuous assault by hundreds of firefighters in Greece, as well as improving weather conditions and help from neighboring European countries has allowed crews to get the upper hand on a deadly wildfire that forced residents to flee their homes outside Athens while flames devoured homes, businesses and vehicles.
12 August 2024, Greece, Athen: With his upper body bare and a cloth over his mouth, a man walks through a street in Penteli, a municipality in the northern Athens region. Just a few kilometers northeast of the Greek capital, firefighters are battling countless fires over an area of around 200 square kilometers. The government has now asked the EU for support. Photo: Socrates Baltagiannis/dpa (Photo by Socrates Baltagiannis/picture alliance via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
"Forty hours after the extremely dangerous wildfire broke out in Varnava, we can now say that there is no active front, only scattered hotspots," said Vassilis Kikilias, the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection of Greece.
The massive wildfire broke out north of Greece on Sunday afternoon, and for approximately 40 hours, more than 700 firefighters, with the support of forest commando teams, ground units and aerial units, including 17 airplanes and 18 helicopters, relentlessly fought back the flames to protect as many lives and buildings as possible.
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Watch: Video shows residents fleeing homes as fire rages outside Athens
A video shared by a journalist in Greece shows intense flames and thick smoke from a massive wildfire burning outside Athens as hundreds of residents flee for safety.
Kikilias said firefighters and volunteers faced dangerous conditions while fighting the blaze, including strong winds and drought conditions that allowed for the flames to spread rapidly.
According to a report from Reuters, a 64-year-old woman in Vrilissia was killed in the blaze.
WHAT SHOULD BE IN YOUR EVACUATION 'GO' BAG DURING WILDFIRE SEASON
![Firefighters attempt to control a wildfire in Dionysos, Greece, on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024. A huge wildfire is threatening suburbs on the outskirts of Athens, forcing thousands of people to evacuate as houses were set alight and local hospitals put at risk. Photographer: Nick Paleologos/Bloomberg via Getty Images]()
Image 1 of 20Firefighters attempt to control a wildfire in Dionysos, Greece, on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024. A huge wildfire is threatening suburbs on the outskirts of Athens, forcing thousands of people to evacuate as houses were set alight and local hospitals put at risk. Photographer: Nick Paleologos/Bloomberg via Getty Images ( )
![dpatop - 13 August 2024, Greece, Athen: A woman is comforted by a girl in front of her burnt-down house, which was destroyed by a forest fire in Ano Patima near Penteli in the north of Athens. Just a few kilometers northeast of the Greek capital, firefighters are battling countless fires over an area of around 200 square kilometers. The government has now asked the EU for support. Photo: Socrates Baltagiannis/dpa (Photo by Socrates Baltagiannis/picture alliance via Getty Images)]()
Image 2 of 20dpatop - 13 August 2024, Greece, Athen: A woman is comforted by a girl in front of her burnt-down house, which was destroyed by a forest fire in Ano Patima near Penteli in the north of Athens. Just a few kilometers northeast of the Greek capital, firefighters are battling countless fires over an area of around 200 square kilometers. The government has now asked the EU for support. Photo: Socrates Baltagiannis/dpa (Photo by Socrates Baltagiannis/picture alliance via Getty Images) ( )
![A burned out vehicle following a wildfire in Penteli, on the outskirts of Athens, Greece, on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Climate change is turbo-charging the threat posed by wildfires, with Greece suffering its worst season in two decades. Photographer: Ioana Epure/Bloomberg via Getty Images]()
Image 3 of 20A burned out vehicle following a wildfire in Penteli, on the outskirts of Athens, Greece, on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Climate change is turbo-charging the threat posed by wildfires, with Greece suffering its worst season in two decades. Photographer: Ioana Epure/Bloomberg via Getty Images ( )
![ATHENS, GREECE - 12 AUGUST 2024: Satellite view of the wildfire North Of Athens, Greece. Imaged 12 August 2024. (Photo by Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data 2024)]()
Image 4 of 20ATHENS, GREECE - 12 AUGUST 2024: Satellite view of the wildfire North Of Athens, Greece. Imaged 12 August 2024. (Photo by Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data 2024) ( )
![12 August 2024, Greece, Athen: Volunteers extinguish a forest fire in Ano Patima near Penteli in the northern Athens region. Just a few kilometers northeast of the Greek capital, firefighters are battling countless fires over an area of around 200 square kilometers. The government has now asked the EU for support. Photo: Socrates Baltagiannis/ (Photo by Socrates Baltagiannis/picture alliance via Getty Images)]()
Image 5 of 2012 August 2024, Greece, Athen: Volunteers extinguish a forest fire in Ano Patima near Penteli in the northern Athens region. Just a few kilometers northeast of the Greek capital, firefighters are battling countless fires over an area of around 200 square kilometers. The government has now asked the EU for support. Photo: Socrates Baltagiannis/ (Photo by Socrates Baltagiannis/picture alliance via Getty Images) ( )
![Volunteers try to extinguish a wildfire near Penteli, on August 12, 2024. Greece's civil protection authorities ordered the evacuation of several towns in the north-eastern suburbs of Athens, threatened by a violent fire that started the day before and is spreading. European Union said that four countries -- Italy, France, the Czech Republic and Romania -- would send assistance at the request of Greece which is combating a massive wildfire burning through Athens suburbs. (Photo by Angelos TZORTZINIS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 6 of 20Volunteers try to extinguish a wildfire near Penteli, on August 12, 2024. Greece's civil protection authorities ordered the evacuation of several towns in the north-eastern suburbs of Athens, threatened by a violent fire that started the day before and is spreading. European Union said that four countries -- Italy, France, the Czech Republic and Romania -- would send assistance at the request of Greece which is combating a massive wildfire burning through Athens suburbs. (Photo by Angelos TZORTZINIS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![TOPSHOT - Volunteer stand in front of a small pocket of fire as wildfires burn near Penteli, on August 12, 2024. Greece's civil protection authorities ordered the evacuation of several towns in the north-eastern suburbs of Athens, threatened by a violent fire that started the day before and is spreading. European Union said that four countries -- Italy, France, the Czech Republic and Romania -- would send assistance at the request of Greece which is combating a massive wildfire burning through Athens suburbs. (Photo by Angelos TZORTZINIS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 7 of 20TOPSHOT - Volunteer stand in front of a small pocket of fire as wildfires burn near Penteli, on August 12, 2024. Greece's civil protection authorities ordered the evacuation of several towns in the north-eastern suburbs of Athens, threatened by a violent fire that started the day before and is spreading. European Union said that four countries -- Italy, France, the Czech Republic and Romania -- would send assistance at the request of Greece which is combating a massive wildfire burning through Athens suburbs. (Photo by Angelos TZORTZINIS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![A firefighting helicopter collects water from the sea during wildfire control operations at Nea Makri, east of Athens, Greece, on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Climate change is turbo-charging the threat posed by wildfires, with Greece suffering its worst season in two decades. Photographer: Ioana Epure/Bloomberg via Getty Images]()
Image 8 of 20A firefighting helicopter collects water from the sea during wildfire control operations at Nea Makri, east of Athens, Greece, on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Climate change is turbo-charging the threat posed by wildfires, with Greece suffering its worst season in two decades. Photographer: Ioana Epure/Bloomberg via Getty Images ( )
![The remains of a burned out home following a wildfire in Varnavas, east of Athens, Greece, on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Climate change is turbo-charging the threat posed by wildfires, with Greece suffering its worst season in two decades. Photographer: Nick Paleologos/Bloomberg via Getty Images]()
Image 9 of 20The remains of a burned out home following a wildfire in Varnavas, east of Athens, Greece, on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Climate change is turbo-charging the threat posed by wildfires, with Greece suffering its worst season in two decades. Photographer: Nick Paleologos/Bloomberg via Getty Images ( )
![TOPSHOT - A volunteer rescues a dog from a wildfire near Penteli, on August 12, 2024. Greece's civil protection authorities ordered the evacuation of several towns in the north-eastern suburbs of Athens, threatened by a violent fire that started the day before and is spreading. European Union said that four countries -- Italy, France, the Czech Republic and Romania -- would send assistance at the request of Greece which is combating a massive wildfire burning through Athens suburbs. (Photo by Angelos TZORTZINIS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 10 of 20TOPSHOT - A volunteer rescues a dog from a wildfire near Penteli, on August 12, 2024. Greece's civil protection authorities ordered the evacuation of several towns in the north-eastern suburbs of Athens, threatened by a violent fire that started the day before and is spreading. European Union said that four countries -- Italy, France, the Czech Republic and Romania -- would send assistance at the request of Greece which is combating a massive wildfire burning through Athens suburbs. (Photo by Angelos TZORTZINIS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![ATHENS, GREECE - AUGUST 12: A man uses a branch to extinguish a fire, during a wildfire in Nea Penteli near Athens, Greece, on August 12, 2024. (Photo by Costas Baltas/Anadolu via Getty Images)]()
Image 11 of 20ATHENS, GREECE - AUGUST 12: A man uses a branch to extinguish a fire, during a wildfire in Nea Penteli near Athens, Greece, on August 12, 2024. (Photo by Costas Baltas/Anadolu via Getty Images) ( )
![12 August 2024, Greece, Athen: With his upper body bare and a cloth over his mouth, a man walks through a street in Penteli, a municipality in the northern Athens region. Just a few kilometers northeast of the Greek capital, firefighters are battling countless fires over an area of around 200 square kilometers. The government has now asked the EU for support. Photo: Socrates Baltagiannis/dpa (Photo by Socrates Baltagiannis/picture alliance via Getty Images)]()
Image 12 of 2012 August 2024, Greece, Athen: With his upper body bare and a cloth over his mouth, a man walks through a street in Penteli, a municipality in the northern Athens region. Just a few kilometers northeast of the Greek capital, firefighters are battling countless fires over an area of around 200 square kilometers. The government has now asked the EU for support. Photo: Socrates Baltagiannis/dpa (Photo by Socrates Baltagiannis/picture alliance via Getty Images) ( )
![ATHENS, GREECE - AUGUST 12: A wildfire burns the forest in Dione near Athens, Greece, on August 12, 2024. A major fire that broke out Sunday in the northeastern town of Varnavas in Greece's Attica region continues to rage, forcing residents of nearly 10 villages to evacuate in the very early hours of Monday after many homes were damaged, local media reported. (Photo by Costas Baltas/Anadolu via Getty Images)]()
Image 13 of 20ATHENS, GREECE - AUGUST 12: A wildfire burns the forest in Dione near Athens, Greece, on August 12, 2024. A major fire that broke out Sunday in the northeastern town of Varnavas in Greece's Attica region continues to rage, forcing residents of nearly 10 villages to evacuate in the very early hours of Monday after many homes were damaged, local media reported. (Photo by Costas Baltas/Anadolu via Getty Images) ( )
![ATHENS, GREECE - AUGUST 12: A man evacuates his house during a wildfire in Dione near Athens, Greece, on August 12, 2024. A major fire that broke out Sunday in the northeastern town of Varnavas in Greece's Attica region continues to rage, forcing residents of nearly 10 villages to evacuate in the very early hours of Monday after many homes were damaged, local media reported. (Photo by Costas Baltas/Anadolu via Getty Images)]()
Image 14 of 20ATHENS, GREECE - AUGUST 12: A man evacuates his house during a wildfire in Dione near Athens, Greece, on August 12, 2024. A major fire that broke out Sunday in the northeastern town of Varnavas in Greece's Attica region continues to rage, forcing residents of nearly 10 villages to evacuate in the very early hours of Monday after many homes were damaged, local media reported. (Photo by Costas Baltas/Anadolu via Getty Images) ( )
![ATHENS, GREECE- AUGUST 12: Smoke rises over Parthenon temple during a wildfire near Athens, Greece, on August 12, 2024. (Photo by Costas Baltas/Anadolu via Getty Images)]()
Image 15 of 20ATHENS, GREECE- AUGUST 12: Smoke rises over Parthenon temple during a wildfire near Athens, Greece, on August 12, 2024. (Photo by Costas Baltas/Anadolu via Getty Images) ( )
![This photograph shows the Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill in a smoke cloud from a wildfire, in Athens on August 12, 2024. On August 12, 2024, Greece's civil protection authorities ordered the evacuation of several towns in the north-eastern suburbs of Athens, threatened by a violent fire that started the day before and is spreading. (Photo by Angelos TZORTZINIS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 16 of 20This photograph shows the Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill in a smoke cloud from a wildfire, in Athens on August 12, 2024. On August 12, 2024, Greece's civil protection authorities ordered the evacuation of several towns in the north-eastern suburbs of Athens, threatened by a violent fire that started the day before and is spreading. (Photo by Angelos TZORTZINIS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![A burning car during the East Attica wildfire in Varnavas, northeast of Athens, Greece, on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. A number of wildfires broke out in Greece on Sunday including in areas close to the capital, with large parts of the country placed on a state of red alert. Photographer: Nick Paleologos/Bloomberg via Getty Images]()
Image 17 of 20A burning car during the East Attica wildfire in Varnavas, northeast of Athens, Greece, on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. A number of wildfires broke out in Greece on Sunday including in areas close to the capital, with large parts of the country placed on a state of red alert. Photographer: Nick Paleologos/Bloomberg via Getty Images ( )
![A firefighter works to control the East Attica wildfire in Varnavas, northeast of Athens, Greece, on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. A number of wildfires broke out in Greece on Sunday including in areas close to the capital, with large parts of the country placed on a state of red alert. Photographer: Nick Paleologos/Bloomberg via Getty Images]()
Image 18 of 20A firefighter works to control the East Attica wildfire in Varnavas, northeast of Athens, Greece, on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. A number of wildfires broke out in Greece on Sunday including in areas close to the capital, with large parts of the country placed on a state of red alert. Photographer: Nick Paleologos/Bloomberg via Getty Images ( )
![Firefighters are operating during a wildfire in Varnavas, north of Athens, on August 12, 2024. Greece is battling several wildfires on August 11, with smoke covering parts of the capital Athens in a haze, amid warnings for extreme weather conditions for the rest of the week. (Photo by Dimitris Lampropoulos/NurPhoto via Getty Images)]()
Image 19 of 20Firefighters are operating during a wildfire in Varnavas, north of Athens, on August 12, 2024. Greece is battling several wildfires on August 11, with smoke covering parts of the capital Athens in a haze, amid warnings for extreme weather conditions for the rest of the week. (Photo by Dimitris Lampropoulos/NurPhoto via Getty Images) ( )
![Firefighters are operating during a wildfire in Varnavas, north of Athens, on August 12, 2024. Greece is battling several wildfires on August 11, with smoke covering parts of the capital Athens in a haze, amid warnings for extreme weather conditions for the rest of the week. (Photo by Dimitris Lampropoulos/NurPhoto via Getty Images)]()
Image 20 of 20Firefighters are operating during a wildfire in Varnavas, north of Athens, on August 12, 2024. Greece is battling several wildfires on August 11, with smoke covering parts of the capital Athens in a haze, amid warnings for extreme weather conditions for the rest of the week. (Photo by Dimitris Lampropoulos/NurPhoto via Getty Images) ( )
"The people who lived through these conditions in northeastern Attica know this," Kikilias continued. "Amidst the ordeal they went through, whether feeling fear, anger, or deep sorrow because, tragically, a worker was lost, they know that firefighters, the police, the local government, the volunteers and the Army were there, fighting with superhuman efforts to prevent worse consequences."
When the blaze broke out, Greece requested assistance from neighboring European countries to help fight the fire, and several nations responded to the call for help, including France, Italy and the Czech Republic.
WHAT TO DO IF A WILDFIRE PROMPTS A POWER OUTAGE
Watch: Greek residents flee as massive wildfire burns communities outside Athens
A video shared by police in Greece shows residents outside Athens evacuating their homes as a massive wildfire rages in the distance.
Officials said Serbia was sending a helicopter, 35 firefighters and 10 vehicles to the scorched region. In addition, Romania said it would send dozens of firefighters and four water tankers, while Turkey said it would provide Greece with two airplanes.
France, in addition to a helicopter, was also sending 200 firefighters to the region along with 28 water tankers.