Greece battles dozens of wildfires amid escalating heatwave risk

ATHENS - Firefighters in Greece were battling more than 50 wildfires across the country on Sunday, as authorities warned of heightened danger due to an intensifying heatwave and strong winds.

The most severe blaze erupted in a forested area in Argolida, on the Peloponnese peninsula, challenging ground and aerial firefighting units. Earlier in the day, major fires in the seaside resort of Aliki in central Greece and on the island of Evia were brought under control after burning through scrubland and threatening residential areas.

Evacuation alerts were issued in several locations as precautionary measures, the Fire Service said.

No casualties have been reported, despite more than 1,000 wildfires recorded since the start of June, according to Costas Tsigkas, head of the Association of Greek Firefighter Officers. Speaking to state broadcaster ERT, Tsigkas urged the public to exercise caution as soaring temperatures and high winds significantly raise the risk of fires spreading rapidly.

Since the beginning of the official fire season on May 1, more than 190 individuals have been arrested in connection with wildfires, including 125 for negligence, such as burning vegetation or using machinery that can emit sparks, the Fire Service said.

With temperatures forecast to climb as high as 42 degrees Celsius by midweek, the National Meteorological Service warned of "critical" days ahead. On Sunday, the Threat Evaluation Committee convened an emergency meeting at the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, urging citizens to avoid outdoor activities that could trigger fires and to follow emergency warnings closely.

High fire-risk alerts were issued for multiple regions as the extreme weather persists.

On the island of Crete, government officials met with local authorities to coordinate relief efforts following the evacuation of more than 5,000 residents and tourists last week due to a major wildfire. That fire was among the most serious so far this season, following a destructive blaze on Chios island in June that scorched 6,000 hectares.

In total, approximately 7,000 hectares have burned across the country this year, according to an expert at the National Observatory of Athens.