Wildfires were burning out of control in several parts of Greece early Wednesday, with the worst fronts in the northwestern Peloponnese, western Attica, northwestern Greece, and on the islands of Chios and Zakynthos, forcing thousands to evacuate and triggering road closures, power cuts and emergency rescues.

In Achaia, in the northwestern Peloponnese, a new blaze broke out late on Tuesday in the Sychaina area, destroying homes, cars, workshops and factories in the Patra industrial zone. Authorities ordered the evacuation of Kato Achaia, Vrachnaika and 25 other settlements. The Patra-Pyrgos motorway, the Patra ring road and local interchanges were closed in both directions. Emergency alerts urged residents in Xerolaka, Aroi, Ano and Kato Sychaina and Anthoupoli to head towards Patra. The Karamandaneio children’s hospital was also evacuated overnight.

In Preveza, Epirus, flames swept across 30 km (19 miles) of villages in the Ziros municipality overnight, driven by strong winds and a lack of firebreaks. The blaze destroyed homes in Agios Georgios and Pantanassa, while explosions were heard, likely from gas installations at farms. Power outages affected large areas, and farmers reported livestock losses. Refugees at a reception center in Filippiada were evacuated by bus, while parts of the Ionia Odos motorway and the old Ioannina-Arta national road were closed.

According to authorities, 152 new wildfires broke out across Greece in the past 48 hours

On the island of Chios in the northern Aegean, firefighters battled through the night in Amani in the northwest, where Volissos and other settlements were evacuated. The fire burned forests, farmland, livestock facilities, vehicles and chapels. The coast guard, with seven vessels and help from private boats, rescued residents trapped on beaches. Additional firefighting teams arrived by sea and air, and investigators from the arson crimes unit examined the scene.

In western Attica, a fire broke out in Koumindri, Megara, before dawn, prompting road closures and alerts for residents to be ready to evacuate. By 8 a.m., conditions had improved, but more than 100 firefighters with 36 engines and two ground teams remained on site.

Fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said 152 new wildfires had broken out across Greece in the past 48 hours, with 4,850 firefighters deployed and 62 aircraft operating until nightfall on Tuesday.

Source: Ekathimerini.com