Greece battles its most widespread wildfires on record

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🗞️ Driving the news: Greece has been struggling with wildfires for five consecutive days, particularly in the north and around the capital, Athens
• The extreme heat and dry conditions have ignited multiple fires across the nation

🔭 The context: This year marks the most severe fire season Greece has ever encountered
• The nation's historical battles with wildfires have shown that their hot, dry, windy summers combined with native pine forests and undergrowth create the perfect environment for out-of-control fires

🌎 Why does it matter for the planet: Such extreme wildfires in Greece underline the fast-approaching consequences of climate change, particularly in the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East region
• Greece's experience serves as a case study for the potential future of many global regions

⏭️ What's next: While efforts to combat the fires are ongoing, strong winds are hampering firefighting operations
• The nation remains on high alert, and international assistance has been called in

💬 One quote: “It is the worst summer for fires since records began.” (Vassilis Kikilias, the civil protection minister)

📈 One stat: Over the past five days, Greece experienced a staggering 355 new wildfires, with 209 igniting within the last 24 hours alone.

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