Greece Faces Another Series of Devastating Wildfires within a Month

by Hiroshi Tanaka
5 comments
Greece Wildfires

An image taken by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite on the NOAA-NASA Suomi NPP satellite on August 22, 2023, displays the presence of extensive fires throughout Greece.

Smoke from wildfires in the northeastern region of the country was seen drifting across the Mediterranean Sea.

Coming just a month after a series of destructive fires ravaged various parts of Greece in July 2023, the end of August witnessed the ignition of dozens of additional fires throughout the nation.

One notably expansive fire broke out near Alexandroupolis in the northeastern part of Greece. This particular fire generated a substantial smoke plume that stretched hundreds of miles southwestward, extending as far as Italy. The significant extent of this plume was documented in an image taken in the afternoon on August 22, 2023, using the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) aboard the NOAA-NASA Suomi NPP satellite.

Alongside this major fire, several smaller smoke plumes from other wildfires were detected throughout the country on that same day. Specific fires near Athens were especially damaging, resulting in the destruction of homes and vehicles. The capital city found itself shrouded in smoke from these events.

The immediate outlook was grim, as weather predictions for August 23 indicated that the conditions favoring such extreme wildfires — marked by heat, dryness, and strong winds — were expected to continue.

The image representing these occurrences was produced by Wanmei Liang for NASA’s Earth Observatory, utilizing VIIRS data sourced from NASA EOSDIS LANCE, GIBS/Worldview, and the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Greece Wildfires

What are the details of the wildfires that hit Greece in August 2023?

In late August 2023, Greece faced another wave of devastating wildfires, notably in the northeast region, close to Alexandroupolis. A particularly large fire generated a massive plume of smoke that reached as far as Italy, captured by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite on the NOAA-NASA Suomi NPP satellite. Smaller plumes from other fires were visible across the nation, causing significant damage near Athens, including the destruction of homes and cars. Forecasts predicted that hot, dry, and windy conditions would continue, aggravating the situation.

Where was the smoke from the Greek wildfires seen?

The smoke from the wildfires in Greece’s northeastern region was seen drifting across the Mediterranean Sea. The smoke even extended hundreds of miles southwest, reaching as far as Italy.

What were the weather conditions contributing to the wildfires in Greece?

The weather conditions contributing to the wildfires were characterized by hot, dry, and windy conditions. Forecasts predicted that these extreme fire weather conditions would persist, increasing the risks and challenges.

Who captured the images of the wildfires, and what technology was used?

The images of the wildfires were captured by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the NOAA-NASA Suomi NPP satellite. The NASA Earth Observatory image was produced by Wanmei Liang, using VIIRS data from various sources including NASA EOSDIS LANCE, GIBS/Worldview, and the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership.

How did the wildfires affect Athens?

The wildfires in the vicinity of Athens caused significant damage, destroying homes and cars. The smoke from these fires enveloped the capital city, leading to further distress and concerns in the region.

More about Greece Wildfires

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5 comments

Sarah O'Connor August 23, 2023 - 8:09 pm

We need to take climate change more seriously. These fires are a wake up call. Prayers for Greece.

Reply
John Smith August 23, 2023 - 9:56 pm

Can’t believe how bad these fires are getting. Greece has suffered enough! Stay safe everyone.

Reply
Timothy Lee August 23, 2023 - 10:46 pm

this is just terrible, how can this happen twice in such a short time. People must be terrified.

Reply
James Thompson August 24, 2023 - 2:00 am

I saw the satellite images, and it’s jus unreal! how far the smoke reached. Stay strong, Greece!

Reply
Maria Gonzalez August 24, 2023 - 2:16 am

So sad to see my beautiful country in flames again. Why can’t the goverment do more??

Reply

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