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- Greece is the latest Southern European country to be engulfed by wildfires after France and Spain.
- The wildfire which has been spread by the region’s gusty winds broke out west of Athens.
- Two firefighters died after two helicopters collided in the region.
Firefighters and Hellenic Civil Protection personnel battle advancing flames during a wildfire near Agios Nektarios in Western Attica, Greece, as firefighting operations continue under difficult conditions. Nick Paleologos | Afp | Getty Images
Greece is entering its second week of wildfires spread by extreme winds as more countries in Southern Europe battle with heatwaves.
The wildfire, which broke out in Western Attica near the Greek capital Athens, has been worsened by Greece’s gusty, dry winds known as Meltemi, which affects the country during July and August. In some areas, the winds have reached speeds of 80 to 100 km per hour, several outlets have reported.
Two firefighters, a Danish pilot and a Greek fire service official died, after two helicopters collided in the Western Athens region on Sunday. Two firefighters in the second helicopter survived after making an emergency landing and are currently in the hospital.
As winds eased on Monday, water-bombing aircrafts took to the skies to continue fighting the flames.
A monster wildfire broke out in France’s Bordeaux region in late July and spread to parts of Spain. It has burned hundreds of thousands of acres across the two countries. Described as an “unprecedented” and “historic” situation, it forced the largest evacuation in France’s history.
Firefighters and Hellenic Civil Protection personnel battle advancing flames during a wildfire near Agios Nektarios in Western Attica, Greece, as firefighting operations continue under difficult conditions. Nick Paleologos | Afp | Getty ImagesFirefighters conduct works to extinguish wildfires in Agia Paraskevi, West Attica, Greece on August 1, 2026. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty ImagesVolunteers battle a wildfire burning near Porto Germeno, 70 kilometres northwest of Athens in the region of Viotia, Greece, on August 2, 2026.Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty ImagesA firefighting helicopter battles a wildfire burning near Porto Germeno, 70 kilometres northwest of Athens in the region of Viotia, Greece, on August 2, 2026.Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty ImagesThis photo shows a wildfire burning trees in Viotia region, west of Athens, on August 2, 2026. Aris Oikonomou | Afp | Getty ImagesA firefighting helicopter reloads water while battling a wildfire near Porto Germeno, 70 kilometres northwest of Athens in the region of Viotia, Greece, on August 2, 2026.Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty ImagesWildfires continue in Agia Paraskevi, West Attica, Greece on August 1, 2026. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty ImagesA local resident tries to extinguish the fire that has broken out in his house in Megara region, west of Athens, on August 2, 2026.Aris Oikonomou | Afp | Getty ImagesFirefighters battle a wildfire burning near Porto Germeno, 70 kilometres northwest of Athens in the region of Viotia, Greece, on August 2, 2026. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty ImagesChoose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.
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