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Athens Struggles to Recover from August Wildfire: Devastation of Blackened Hills, Torched Cars, and Destroyed Businesses


Local sculptor Vangelis Ilias is facing the devastating aftermath of the ferocious wildfire that swept through Athens in August. The flames destroyed his workshop, where he had been creating made-to-order tombstones, statues, and other items out of white marble for 35 years. Despite losing his life’s work, Ilias reflects on the spiritual impact of the loss rather than the financial cost.

The wildfire, which tore through over 100 square kilometers of forest and scrubland, forced thousands to flee and left deep scars on the landscape around Greece’s capital. The fire, which came within feet of Ilias’s workshop, ignited a petrol-filled generator and burned for two days before he could access the property. The devastation brought the total area of land burned in the Attica region since 2017 to over 700 square kilometers, highlighting the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires in recent years.

Minister Vassilis Kikilias acknowledges that this year has been the most difficult firefighting period in living memory, with more than 4,000 fires starting since the beginning of the fire season on May 1. Despite a massive deployment of firefighters and assistance from other countries, the blaze proved challenging to contain.

Ilias emphasizes the importance of individual responsibility in fire prevention, noting that many residents ignored orders to clear the grounds of their homes, contributing to the spread of the fire. While blaming politicians for the response, he also highlights the need for everyone to take proactive measures in preventing wildfires. The blackened hills and torched cars serve as stark reminders of the destruction caused by the blaze in Athens.

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Photo credit www.euronews.com

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