Firefighters in Greece are battling a major wildfire west of Athens, supported by water-dropping planes and helicopters that took off at first light Monday. The operation comes after a tragic midair collision between two firefighting helicopters killed two crew members the previous day (winnipegfreepress.com).
The blaze, which has already engulfed trees and vegetation, has prompted a large-scale response involving hundreds of firefighters. Aerial support includes five planes and five helicopters, working alongside ground crews to contain the fire. The use of water-dropping aircraft is part of the coordinated effort to suppress the flames, which have spread rapidly in the region (ca.news.yahoo.com).
The situation highlights the challenges of managing wildfires in a dry climate, with the fire threatening nearby communities. Officials have not yet released details on the extent of the damage or the number of people evacuated, though emergency services are on high alert. The incident underscores the risks faced by firefighting crews, both on the ground and in the air (independent.co.uk).
