Firefighters battle severe blaze on Euboea as evacuations ordered

Over 200 firefighters are battling a fire on Euboea, Greece's second-largest island. According to the authorities, it’s one of the season's most dangerous fires. Residents of some localities have been called to evacuate.

The fire in the eastern part of the island broke out on Monday afternoon. Firefighters fought the flames all night. According to the authorities, the situation slightly improved on Tuesday.

Over 200 firefighters are participating in the operation, supported by planes and helicopters. One firefighter was slightly injured.

The eKathimerini portal reported that a fire department spokesperson said the fire on Euboea is one of the most challenging this season.

On Tuesday, a very high fire risk warning (level four on a five-point scale) was issued for Attica (including Kythera Island), Central Greece (Viotia, Euboea, Fthiotida), Peloponnese (Corinthia, Argolis, and Laconia), Thessaly (Larissa, Magnesia, and the Sporades Islands), Central Macedonia (Thessaloniki and Kilkis), Crete, the Ionian Islands (Corfu) and the North Aegean Islands (Chios, Samos, and Ikaria).

The iefimerida.gr portal reports that Google now provides detailed fire boundary monitoring in Search and Maps, as well as push notifications based on location, utilizing artificial intelligence.

This information is displayed through alerts and features that provide tips on ensuring the safety of people near the fire.

Since introducing this new service this summer, Google has already mapped over 40 fires in Southern Europe, including fires in Spain, Greece, and Cyprus last month, as well as others from Portugal to Kenya - it reads.

In 2021, about 50,000 hectares of forest burned on Euboea, approximately one-third of the island's forested area.