This archive report was first published on 14 August 2019.
On Tuesday, a massive wildfire broke out on the Greek island of Evia, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
According to acting regional governor Kostas Bakoyannis, the fire is a 'huge ecological disaster' that has ravaged a dense and untouched pine forest.
More than 200 firefighters, 75 fire engines, nine helicopters, and seven planes have been deployed to combat the blaze, with Italy and Spain offering additional aircraft to help dump water on the forests.
The fire has also spread to other parts of the country, including the island of Thassos, the central region of Viotia, and the Peloponnese, as well as a suburb of Athens.
Smoke from the fire has blanketed the Greek capital of Athens, 110 km away from the island, and has been exacerbated by strong winds and soaring temperatures near 40C.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has cancelled his summer holiday plans and acknowledged the bravery of firefighters, who have been working tirelessly to tackle the flames with little sleep and food.
As of Tuesday night, the situation seemed to be improving after 'superhuman efforts' to control the flames, according to regional governor Costas Bakoyannis.
The European Union's humanitarian commissioner, Christos Stylianides, has expressed concern over the situation, but remains hopeful that the ecological losses can be limited.
Greece was devastated by wildfires in 2018, which left 100 people dead and tore through pine forests surrounding Athens.
