The fires that ravaged Athens in recent days have left a trail of devastation that is hard to comprehend. One of our Board Directors, Constantine Tzembelicos, witnessed firsthand the sheer scale of destruction and the incredible efforts of those trying to protect their homes, loved ones, and livelihoods. He shared with us some of his personal experiences and thoughts as we come together to support the Athens Wildfire Relief Fund.

A Firestorm Unleashed

It was late afternoon when the fire broke out just a few kilometers north of Constantine’s home in the northern suburb of Stamata, near the Marathon Lake. What began as a distant plume of smoke quickly escalated into a full-blown catastrophe. By early evening, the fire had advanced south, threatening Stamata and Rodopolis. The winds were fierce, reaching speeds of up to 75 km/h, and the ground dry, creating a perfect storm that pushed the fire relentlessly forward.

Miraculously, the fire did not engulf Stamata’s residential areas, thanks in part to a previous fire in June that had already burned much of the surrounding area leaving little left to consume and advance the fire. But the flames came dangerously close—within 500 meters—before being driven further south by the intense winds.

A Night of Fear and Desperation

As the evening wore on, the firestorm spread to Dionysos and the Rapetosa area, growing more intense with every passing hour. By sunrise, it had crossed Pendelis mountain, descending into the Nea Pendelis residential area on the other side. By early afternoon, the fire had reached Melissia, Vrillisia, and even Chalandri—places no one ever imagined would be touched by the flames.

Aerial firefighters were unavailable  during the night, as they cannot operate in the dark. The fire raged uncontrollably until dawn, also moving westward and wreaking havoc in Gramatiko and Marathonas. In just 48 hours, nearly 26,000 acres of land were reduced to ash.

The Battle on the Ground

Constantine spent those harrowing nights in the area alongside the fire brigade, hundreds of volunteers, and local residents, fighting spot fires and even drawing water from swimming pools to douse flames on rooftops, bushes, and trees. It was an almost impossible task. The thermal load was so intense that despite pouring liters of water, the dry biomass would reignite almost instantly. It was a surreal, exhausting battle, as the high winds turned small smoldering fires into raging infernos in the blink of an eye.

The weight of the hoses, the terrain, the suffocating smoke, the shouts of exhausted firefighters and panicked residents—it was a scene of chaos and desperation. The stark reality of the situation hit home: the vast amount of burnable material—dry biomass, garbage, flammable debris—poses a constant threat. Yet, too often, it is ignored until a crisis strikes.  

A Stark Reminder of Tragedy

Fighting the flames, one couldn’t help but think of the tragedy in Mati a few years ago, where 104 lives were lost due to a fire started by a resident burning brushwood on a day with 100+ km/h winds. That same individual’s home was engulfed in flames on Monday, a haunting reminder of the consequences of carelessness and the destructive power of fire.

A Call to Action: Prevention and Preparedness

Despite the advanced and large fleet of aerial and ground firefighting equipment in Greece, there will never be enough firefighters, aircraft, or equipment to deal with these kinds of devastating wildfires.  We need to do more…These experiences have solidified our belief that we must do more than just respond to wildfires—we must prevent them. As a charity, we at THI Canada are exploring initiatives to educate communities on best practices for fire protection. This includes safeguarding homes, churches, businesses, livestock, and wildlife. We need to be proactive, not just reactive.

Join Us in Rebuilding and Protecting Athens

The Athens Wildfire Relief Fund is not just about rebuilding what has been lost—it’s about ensuring that such losses are minimized in the future. We need your support to fund educational programs, provide resources for fire prevention, and help those who have been affected by this disaster.

Together, we can rise from the ashes and build a safer, more resilient community. Please consider donating to the Athens Wildfire Relief Fund today. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference.

Thank you for standing with us during this difficult time. Your support means the world to those who have lost so much. Let’s work together to protect our communities and prevent future tragedies.