Fires that have ravaged the country for three weeks are now engulfing the Greek capital, giving it an apocalyptic hue. Emergency services are expecting very difficult days ahead. On Sunday evening, authorities ordered the evacuation of the town of Marathon, forty kilometers from Athens.

Kilometers south of Athens, on this sunny Sunday, August 11, the bright blue sky gradually took on a black veil. Later, on social networks, the first pictures appeared: pictures of the Greek capital at the end of the day drowned in dark orange, even brown. At issue: two fires around the Greek metropolis. Smoke from it traveled more than 100 kilometers in a few hours, with violent northeasterly winds – between 6 and 8 Beaufort, at 13 degrees. Greece burns again and Athens is at the center of the disaster.

Officials have warned of danger this weekend and into Monday, August 12. In fact, hundreds of fires have broken out over the past three weeks in Greece, such as the Patras region, the Peloponnese peninsula, Rethymno, Crete or in the mountains around Ceres, the country to the north. Climate disruption is a key element in understanding these fires: Greece has recorded the hottest June and July months on record, after an already historically warm winter. In short, heat waves and droughts are part of everyday life and have dramatic consequences.

Army reinforcement

Now the area of ​​Attica surrounding Athens is also engulfed in flames. The fire started in Megara municipality, southwest of the capital. “The situation is a little better and we are in the process of controlling it” confirms liberation A fire department spokeswoman said. On the other hand, on the north-east face, at Varnava, “There is no possibility of controlling the fire”, He sighs. He points out that 250 people with 67 vehicles, 12 planes and 7 helicopters were stationed at the scene and they received reinforcements from the army. At the same time, residents around these two fire sources received warning messages to evacuate the premises. However, according to public television ERT, some wanted to stay to protect their homes and animals.

Despite firefighters’ efforts, houses were gutted by the blaze. Several people were taken to hospital after inhaling smoke and ash. Fire is particularly violent. The flames are over 25 meters high. Also, it is difficult to control due to strong winds that often change direction. However, according to weather forecasts, they should continue to blow strongly during the night. “We’re expecting a very tough week.” said Costas LaGuertos, research director of the Athens Laboratory. to him, “If we don’t bring the Varna fire under control overnight, we will have problems tomorrow.”

Fears are high as the fire approaches Lake Marathon, an artificial reservoir created by a dam built in 1929 that is one of the city’s main water reserves. In the evening, the authorities demanded the evacuation of the town of Marathon, located forty kilometers from Athens.

Update : 10:15 pm, with evacuation of Marathon city.