Fires Rage in Greece
After a week with strong winds and uncontrolled fires, Greece has lost more of its forests than in any previous year on record. At least 64 people have died and hundreds of homes have been destroyed in southern villages.
Unofficial estimates say the fires have ravaged about half a million acres of forest, olive groves and scrub. This is about ten times the average for the past 50 years. Also destroyed are fragile mountain ecosystems that will require decades to revive. The livelihood of many rural people has also been disrupted and may be forever changed.
Local fire brigades are being assisted by personnel and equipment sent from abroad. Cypriot firefighters have made fire break corridors in the mountains north of Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympics in the western Peloponnese. The 2,700-year-old archaeological complex narrowly escaped destruction.
Arson has been widely blamed, and 11 suspects are charged with deliberately setting fires. Local people are blaming land developers intent on making way for new construction. The government offered rewards of up to $1.4 million (1 million euros) for help in tracking down arsonists and asked a public prosecutor to see if they can be prosecuted as terrorists.