Wildfire Rages Near Homes in Greece: High Winds Fan Flames as Three Firefighters Suffer Smoke Inhalation

Athens, Greece— Wind did the work. On Tuesday afternoon a brush fire ignited in dry olive groves north of Athens, and gale-force gusts turned it into a front. Homes at the edge of the wildland burned. Three firefighters could not breathe.

The Greek Fire Service said the blaze broke out at 2:20 p.m. near Kryoneri, fueled by months of drought and winds gusting to 80 kmph. The fire ran uphill through pine and scrub. Spot fires jumped roads. It reached the first houses within 40 minutes.

Residents in two settlements were ordered to evacuate. Some stayed with garden hoses. Water bombers could not fly low because of wind shear. Ground crews fought with axes and shovels. The smoke was dense and low.

Three firefighters were taken to hospital with smoke inhalation after their engine was flanked. The service said they were part of a crew protecting a row of houses. Their condition is not life-threatening. They were wearing masks, but masks fail when wind traps you.

"We saw flames crown in the pines," a resident said, coughing. "Then the wind threw embers onto our roof. The fire brigade came, but the wind pushed harder." His shed burned. His house survived with a scorched wall.

Officials said at least four homes suffered partial damage, mostly roofs and balconies. Olive trees that took decades to grow burned in minutes. Power lines fell, cutting electricity to 300 households. Police closed the old national road.

Greece has burned every autumn longer. Longer fire seasons, hotter days, abandoned fields full of fuel. The fire service budget has grown, but volunteers still drive 20-year-old trucks. The wind does not care.

The service said the fire was 70 percent contained by nightfall but warned of rekindles. Winds will stay high through Wednesday morning. Patrols will remain overnight.

Tonight the smell of smoke sits over Athens' northern suburbs. Houses are still without power. The hillside glows.