Less than two weeks after forest fires ravaged the northern part of Evia, firefighters are now battling another blaze in the southern part of the island.
Tens of thousands of hectares were destroyed in Evia's wildfires this monthImage: Stelios Misinas/REUTERS
Fanned by strong winds, Monday's fire broke out on the southern part of Evia.
Authorities in the village of Fygia, near the fire, have evacuated two neighborhoods.
The blaze was moving toward the coastal tourist village of Marmari. The Athens News Agency reported that Marmari authorities have boats on standby to evacuate people if needed.
The Greek fire brigade said it sent 64 firefighters, more than 20 fire engines, water-dropping airplanes and helicopters to Evia.
The fire was contained after several hours, the fire department said.
Greek and Romanian firefighters struggled to control the flames with the help of six helicopters and five water-dumping planes.
Civil defense authorities ordered a number of villages be evacuated including Vilia itself.
The new blaze was one of 34 new wildfires reported between Sunday and Monday, said the Greek fire brigade, that has now put most of them under control.
"The battle against the fires continues wherever there is a front," government spokesman Yiannis Oikonomou said on Monday.
The world is burning
Heat waves are taking their toll; forests are burning all over the world. Here's a global look at some of the most devastating fires.
Image: ROMAN KUTUKOV/REUTERS
Russia: No sign of relief
Many regions in Russia have been burning for weeks, with the area around Yakutia in the far northeast having been hit particularly hard. The authorities have counted more than 250 fires currently burning across Russia, covering a total area of more than 3.5 million hectares (8.6 million acres).
Image: ROMAN KUTUKOV/REUTERS
This is no morning mist
But it's not just the fires that are causing problems for locals. Dense smoke has been drifting across populated areas, for example the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk. This is especially hard for the elderly and children, as it's nearly impossible to breathe outside.
Image: REUTERS
Greece: We're outta here!
Evacuees on a ferry at the port of Pefki, Euboea — they are embarking on a journey into the unknown, as their homes and belongings will probably be destroyed by the time they return. For the first time since the forest fires started on the Greek island of Euboea at the beginning of last week, massive air missions are now being flown to fight the fires. Eyewitnesses report apocalyptic scenes.
Image: ALEXANDROS AVRAMIDIS/REUTERS
Acts of desperation
But not everyone is fleeing — many local residents want to support the firefighters. At times, that can include desperate acts — such as with this man, who’s trying to beat out flames with a tree branch. Such autonomous actions are causing a major problem for the authorities, as through them, many people are placing themselves in grave danger.
Image: NICOLAS ECONOMOU/REUTERS
Turkey: Threatened residential areas
Besides Greece and Italy, Turkey is also struggling with devastating fires. Walls of fire are spreading from the forests to residential areas. On this photo, Turkish firefighters are trying to stop a blaze near Cokertme that threatens to spread into buildings. More than 150,000 hectares — including entire villages — have already fallen victim to the flames in Turkey.
Image: KENAN GURBUZ/REUTERS
United States: Dixie Fire
More than 5,700 fires are currently raging in the West Coast state of California — and the typical wildfire season there has not even started yet. The Dixie Fire is now the second-largest in the state's history, and completely destroyed the town of Greenville. In this photo, a fire crew member keeps an eye out for spot fires to slow the wildfire near the town of Westwood.
Image: FRED GREAVES/REUTERS
Flamme fatale
In California, whirlwinds of ash and embers, such as this one that meandered through the Santa Barbara hills, are complicating matters. West Coast fires have even been creating their own weather. With the situation more devastating than in previous years, governors of affected states have turned to Washington for help — they are urgently seeking more emergency staff and firefighting aircraft.
Image: David McNew/REUTERS
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"We have already started repairing damage and providing practical support to those affected," he added.
A heat wave turned into inferno
August began with Greece's most severe heat wave in decades and turned into one of the country's most destructive fire seasons.
Although the government has blamed the disaster on the heat wave, Citizens Protection Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis announced that a special prosecutor for organized crime cases was involved in a probe into the causes of the fires.
Authorities have already arrested a dozen people, including a 14-year-old boy, on suspicion of arson.
