The Greek Island of Rhodes is facing a devastating wildfire that continues to rage out of control, with nearly 30,000 people evacuated and high winds forecasted for Sunday, posing further challenges for firefighters battling the blaze. The wildfire, which has been burning for nearly a week, has been exacerbated by an extended period of extreme heat that has made containment efforts difficult.
Local officials on Rhodes have been working tirelessly to evacuate those in harm’s way, successfully moving 30,000 people, including more than 2,500 who were rescued from beaches. However, the threat persists, as fire department spokesman Vassilis Vathrakoyiannis warns that the winds are expected to intensify from 12 to 5 pm, with the possibility of earlier escalation.
