Skies over southern Greece turned orange on Tuesday. The cause for the change in hue? Orange-red dust clouds blew across the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa. The rust-colored haze engulfed the Acropolis and other famous Athens landmarks.
Strong southerly winds carried the dust from the Sahara Desert. During the last hours of daylight on Tuesday, the atmosphere of the Greek capital looked a bit like that of Mars.
Weather experts predicted that the skies would clear on Wednesday. Winds shift and move the dust. Temperatures are expected to dip. On Tuesday, the daily high in parts of the country topped 86° Fahrenheit, much higher than usual.
The strong winds over the past few days also fanned unseasonably early wildfires in the country’s south.
The fire service says that a total of 25 wildfires broke out across Greece over the 24 hours leading into Tuesday’s haze.
Three people were arrested on the Aegean Sea resort island of Paros. Authorities suspected them of accidentally starting a scrub blaze on Monday. The fire was quickly contained. No one reported any major damage or injuries.
Another blaze broke out on Crete near a naval base. Firefighters brought it under control on Tuesday.
Greece suffers devastating, and sometimes deadly, forest blazes every summer. Last year, the country recorded the European Union’s largest wildfire in more than two decades.
This year, ongoing drought combines with high spring temperatures. Some officials foresee an especially challenging period for firefighters in the coming months.
Authorities are increasing multi-agency fire drills ahead of the summer fire season that officially starts May 1. Government planners hope to reduce response times and improve teamwork with military and local authorities.
Praise the Lord from the Earth . . . fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling His word! — Psalm 148:7-8
