Fires in Greece

"We have no water, we are at God's mercy. Please tell someone we are putting out the fire with our own hands, we have no help. The village will disappear from the map." -- Resident of a village near the fires --

Raging fires on the southern Peloponnese peninsula and across other areas of Greece are taking lives and threatening ancient historic sites. More than 175 fires have been burning around the country since Friday. Authorities are reporting that they believe at least some of these fires may have been deliberately set.

What an enormous tragedy! I've been around forest fires. They are terribly frightening. Huge, roaring, dark monsters that fill the skies with smoke and ash. They tear across the landscape, consuming everything in their path, and those who battle them can seem so tiny as they face off against the heat and destruction and sheer fury.

These fires have claimed many lives already. They've destroyed homes and businesses. And, these fires threaten the sites of ancient Greece that have great historical significance for all of western culture and society.

I watch from the safety of my home -- fascinated, shocked, saddened, and aware how very much alike we all are no matter where we live or what language we speak.