2009 Greek forest fires
| 2009 Attica forest fires | |
|---|---|
Satellite image showing the locations of some of the 2009 fires in Greece | |
| Date(s) | 21 August 2009 – 25 August 2009 |
| Location | Attica |
| Statistics | |
| Burned area | 200,000 stremma |
| Impacts | |
| Deaths | None |
| Non-fatal injuries | Unknown |
| Ignition | |
| Cause | heat wave, and wind, probable arson |
The 2009 Greek forest fires were a series of massive wildfires that broke out across several areas in Greece during the summer of 2009. The fires began in Grammatiko, about 25 mi (40 km) north-east of the Greek capital, Athens on 21 August 2009 and spread quickly towards the suburbs, engulfing fourteen towns within the next three days. 10,000 residents of Agios Stefanos were asked to evacuate the area. Approximately 600 firefighters and soldiers, twelve fire-fighting aircraft and nine helicopters were deployed to extinguish the fire. These fires are the worst since 2007, though no casualties have been reported.