Α major wildfire in Rhodes erupted early Wednesday afternoon in a forested area of the large Dodecanese island in the southeast Aegean, and specifically at the Monolithos site.
The area where the blaze is raging is described as remote and difficult to reach, while gusty winds are also plaguing fire-fighting efforts.
A contingent comprised of 32 firefighters and a ground unit operating 11 vehicles battled the blaze before dusk, while reinforcements were being transported by plane and ferry boat. Municipal crews on Rhodes operating water tankers were also at the scene.
Eight water-dropping aircraft operated before dusk, while more planes and helicopters are being dispatched from the mainland.
The large and very popular island’s southern part was scorched by a major wildfire last summer, with some 5,000 hectares of land affected. A devastating multi-front wildfire ravaged several areas in northeast Attica prefecture (the greater Athens area) last week.
An announcement by Greece’s fire brigade about the Rhodes wildfire was also posted on X.
#Πυρκαγιά σε δασική έκταση στην περιοχή Μονόλιθος της νήσου Ρόδου. Κινητοποιήθηκαν 32 #πυροσβέστες με 1 ομάδα πεζοπόρου της 11ης ΕΜΟΔΕ, 10 οχήματα, 3 Α/Φ και 5 Ε/Π. Συνδρομή από υδροφόρες ΟΤΑ.
— Πυροσβεστικό Σώμα (@pyrosvestiki) August 21, 2024
Greece is still recovering from a devastating wildfire that erupted in Attica in early August that claimed one life, destroyed hundreds of homes, and scorched over 100,000 acres of land. The Greek government announced a plan to protect forests and a series of measures to support the fire-stricken citizens who lost their houses or businesses.
Meteo.gr reported that the burned area had already reached approximately 100,000 acres after the fire, which began in Varnavas, northeast of Athens, rapidly spreading to multiple regions, including residential areas in the capital.
