An athletics stadium in Attica, Greece, built for Olympic athletes, has been converted into an emergency shelter for dogs rescued from the wildfires. Over 100 dogs have been housed at the Megara Olympians Municipal Stadium since the fires began last week.
Volunteers Turn Running Track into Temporary Home
Volunteers have transformed the running track into a makeshift home for the rescued pups. The dogs are being given food, water, and a place to rest, with vets checking each animal for injuries or signs of illness as they arrive.
Some of the rescued dogs are strays, while others were found wearing their owners' collars. The shelter provides a safe haven amid the devastation caused by the fires, which have been fueled by dry weather and winds reaching up to 78mph.
Fires Spread Across Attica Region
The wildfires have spread across the Attica region surrounding Athens, with hundreds of firefighters battling the blaze. Homes have been burnt to the ground in the villages of Porto Germeno and Psatha.
Charities have warned that the fires are also devastating the habitats of Greece's wild animals, including wild horses and deer. Figures released this week show that Attica has lost 42% of its forests to wildfires in the last 10 years.
Prime Minister Comments on Environmental Damage
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed the situation, saying: "I would like to reiterate once again that when a forest burns, this does not mean that the forest is lost forever. Forests that burn, especially those consisting of Aleppo pine, undergo a process of natural regeneration, which must of course be supported and protected. This is happening to a large extent in Attica."
He added: "Clearly, we are dealing with major environmental damage, and we will do everything within our power to support nature as it proceeds, at its own pace, through the process of natural regeneration."
Arrests and Firefighting Efforts
Authorities report that 33 people were arrested across Greece between June 29 and August 2 for starting fires, including 30 through negligence and three on suspicion of arson. Most negligence cases involved farm work, such as welding, which was carried out despite local bans.
Planes and helicopters have been used to dump water on the hotspots when winds allow. Costas Tsingas, head of the Greek Firefighters Association, said: "The goal is for the day to end better than it started. There is a huge fire load in the area and the risk goes up as the day progresses."
