Gale-Force Winds Ground Greek Firefighting Aircraft as Wildfire Forces Fresh Evacuations Near Athens

Gale-force winds on August 2 grounded Greek firefighting aircraft from collecting seawater, removing the primary rapid-response tool against a wildfire sweeping forested mountains west of Athens. Three communities were newly evacuated, including Porto Germeno on the Gulf of Corinth. Nearly 500 firefighters and 23 aircraft were deployed, but winds made water-scooping flights impossible, letting flames advance through western Attica.