A Kilcummin man is volunteering with locals in an effort to fight the wildfires that have devasted areas of Greece in the last week.

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Following a heatwave that has gripped parts of southern Europe and North Africa, 20,000 people, mostly tourists, were evacuated from houses and hotels on the Greek island of Rhodes last weekend as wildfires ravaged mountainous forest areas in the centre and east of the island.

Kilcummin man Cormac Rowe, working as a diving instructor in Rhodes Town in the north of the island, has been helping locals in their attempt to bring the fires under control.

“Life is carrying on as normal in Rhodes town,” said Cormac, “But obviously there aren’t as many tourists around, so we’ve been travelling about an hour inland, to help out where we can.”

As aircraft waterbomb the larger blazes, those on the ground dig trenches to contain the fires, smother flames with soil and douse surrounding vegetation.

“Fires are popping up all the time. It’s pretty energy-sapping, but locals are handing out food and drink to keep us going,” added Cormac.

Firefighting efforts have been hampered by daytime temperatures of over 40 C, and strong winds which are spreading the fire through tinder-dry undergrowth. With a tenth of the island burnt out and acres of forest devastated, Cormac described the situation as ‘like being in a war-zone. It’s apocalyptic.”