Athens Firefighters Reinforce Wildfire Lines After 1,000 Evacuations as Faulty Wind-Farm Power Line Takes Blame
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 4
Athens Firefighters Reinforce Wildfire Lines After 1,000 Evacuations as Faulty Wind-Farm Power Line Takes Blame
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 4
Summary
More than 1,000 people remained displaced west of Athens as crews used a lull in high winds Tuesday to shore up containment lines around fires burning for a fifth day.
A faulty power line from a nearby wind farm was blamed for the main blaze, while aircraft hit hot spots and army earth movers cut fire breaks before stronger gusts and higher temperatures return.
At least 250 people were rescued by boat from beaches near Porto Germeno, and specialist teams moved into forest areas on foot to extinguish embers that could reignite in afternoon winds.
Greek authorities said 33 people were arrested between June 29 and Aug. 2 for starting fires—30 through negligence and three on suspicion of arson—mostly tied to banned farm work such as welding.
Across Europe, prolonged heat has intensified wildfire risks; in southwest France, a 420-square-kilometer blaze exposed more than 400 old shells and drove 224,000 people from their homes.