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Although wildfires around Athens have now been brought under control, Greek officials remain on high alert due to the risk of flare-ups caused by high winds and temperatures exceeding 30°C (86°F). Over 100,000 acres of land have been scorched, leading to the death of one woman and dozens of injuries. Thousands of residents were evacuated as flames reached up to 25 metres (82 feet) high. Firefighters continue to douse affected areas, with a strong presence maintained in the region. The government is assessing damage, and assistance has been given by several European countries, including Italy and France. The country’s prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, returned early from his holiday to address the crisis. Buildings, businesses, and even a school have been destroyed by the fires. Greece has just experienced its hottest June and July on record.

A dense orange haze has enveloped Athens as clouds of Sahara desert dust swept across Greece, marking one of the worst episodes since 2018. Similar clouds hit Greece, Switzerland, and southern France in late March and early April. As the air quality has deteriorated, Greeks with respiratory issues have been advised to stay indoors, wear masks, and avoid strenuous activities. The Sahara annually releases 60 to 200 million tonnes of mineral dust, some of which travels long distances. A meteorologist has compared the view from one weather station to Mars. The fire service has reported 25 wildfires in 24 hours, including one in Crete, where temperatures soared above 30C. The situation underscores the environmental challenges posed by such natural phenomena, requiring vigilant monitoring and response efforts.