Authorities in Athens are evacuating thousands of residents as devastating wildfires continued to spread into the suburbs of the Greek capital on Tuesday, with flames as high as 25 meters engulfing towns fueled by strong winds and record-breaking temperatures, the BBC reported.
As night fell on Monday, aircraft that had been battling the blaze were grounded, leaving firefighters and volunteers to continue the fight on the ground.
Residents in Athens have expressed frustration over the shortage of fire trucks and personnel, prompting Greek authorities to accept international assistance.
Reinforcements are expected to arrive from Spain, Italy, Turkey, Romania, and Canada, with France sending a Super Puma utility helicopter and the Czech Republic dispatching 75 firefighters and 25 vehicles.
Greece recently experienced its hottest June and July on record, creating the perfect conditions for wildfires. The Greek fire service has warned that the threat of new fires remains high, not just for today but in the days ahead.
In an effort to protect themselves from the thick, choking smoke, Athenians have started wearing masks as they navigate the city.
A human chain of firefighters, volunteers, police officers, and citizens has formed to combat the flames, with some even resorting to using tree branches in their efforts to extinguish the fire.
The rapid spread of the fire has been exacerbated by strong winds carrying burning pinecones from trees.
Thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate, but some have refused to leave, determined to save their homes.
Emergency services have issued a series of evacuation orders, including a call for residents in the northern suburb of Dionysos to move toward nearby Kifissia.
The fire has already caused significant destruction, with the famous marble quarries of Mount Penteli and the historic site of Marathon among the areas threatened. The National Observatory of Athens in Penteli is also at risk, with flames approaching its facilities.
More than 700 firefighters, supported by 119 vehicles and numerous soldiers, are currently attempting to extinguish the fires.
A timber factory has been engulfed by flames, raising fears over dangerous materials stored nearby, including an out-of-business petrol station.
In other parts of Penteli, explosions have been reported, likely caused by fuel tanks and residential butane gas cylinders.