Australian helicopters by McDermott Aviation have been spotted in skies above Athens, Greece fighting a wildfire which ravaged homes and forced thousands of locals to evacuate on Monday, August 12.
The fire began Sunday afternoon about 35 kilometers northeast of Athens, burning several homes and businesses and sending a blanket of smoke and ash over the city center. Power cuts hit parts of the Greek capital and affected traffic lights at major central junctions.
Three hospitals, including a children’s hospital, two monasteries and a children’s home were evacuated on Monday afternoon. Cellphones in the area got at least 30 push alerts warning people to flee.
On Tuesday morning, Greece’s fire department spokesperson Vasilis Vathrakogiannis said whilst there was no single fire front any more, there were still “several active pockets of fire.”
Firefighting aircraft by McDermott Aviation – Australia’s largest privately owned helicopter company – were helping local Greek fire authorities fight the wildfires near Penteli mountain and Marathonas Lake.
McDermott Aviation, along with Pays Air Services, sent 28 firefighting aircraft to Greece in early June 2024, along with a crew and support staff of more than 200 people.
This is the fifth fire season where McDermott Aviation have sent helicopters to support Greece throughout the summer.
