Greece braces for 41C heat as firefighters contain wildfire

ATHENS — Greece is bracing for the peak of a heat wave expected early this week, with temperatures forecast to reach as high as 41C (105.8F), while firefighters have brought a wildfire on Salamis Island near Athens under control.The hot spell began on Saturday and is expected to intensify through Monday and Tuesday, with the highest temperatures forecast across mainland Greece and the island of Crete, according to the Hellenic National Meteorological Service.The country’s first temperature above 40C this year was recorded on Saturday in the northwestern town of Konitsa, where the mercury reached 40.4C (104.7F), according to the National Observatory of Athens.Other areas also experienced unusually high temperatures, including Sparta at 39.3C (102.7F) and Petrokefali on Crete and Farsala in central Greece, both at 38.9C (102F).Forecasters expect temperatures to reach 40C to 41C in parts of the mainland and Crete on Monday and Tuesday before cooler conditions begin spreading across northern Greece on Wednesday and the rest of the country on Thursday.Meanwhile, firefighters contained a wildfire that broke out in the Selinia area of Salamis, west of Athens. The Fire Department said a small flare-up occurred in the southern section of the burned area, but aircraft responded quickly and authorities said there was no immediate cause for concern.The blaze burned through forested land near residential areas, with rugged terrain complicating firefighting efforts. Emergency crews remain on alert because of the risk of reignition.Salamis Mayor Giorgos Panagopoulos said residents and holidaymakers from the Panorama A and Panorama B settlements were evacuated as a precaution. All evacuations were completed safely, and no injuries were reported.In northern Greece, firefighters also responded to a separate wildfire near Rodolivoi in the Serres region. Twenty firefighters, supported by eight fire engines and municipal water tankers, were deployed to contain the blaze, which authorities said was burning away from homes and critical infrastructure.An arson investigation team has been dispatched to determine the cause of the fire.