I have called my cousins in Athens. So far, they are all safe. The thinking is that this is the result of arson. It seems every year there are wildfires, but this is the worst in a decade.
Greece is broke. As far as civil service goes, the police are a joke (the tourist police are an even bigger joke). The only time you ever see them is near the Acropolis, in the Plaka region and near the home of the president. Otherwise, they are too busy drinking Greek frappe coffee. In all my visits to Greece, I have NEVER seen them patrolling the highways. I always drove as fast as I wanted to. It's insane!!!
I don't know much about their fire department (referred to as "fire brigades" in Greece). I know they have a few aircraft for water bombing. I did visit a fire station last year in Volos, which is 3-4 hours north of Athens. It seems their trucks are larger and can hold more water than most American trucks, but I have been told the reason why is that they don't have the vast system of hydrants like we have here in the US. The smaller towns and villages do not have a fire station, so the nearest one may take time to respond. And if you live in mountainous terrain or on the smaller islands, it becomes even more challenging.
Greece simply is hard-pressed to fight this on their own and have appealed for help. I have read that Italy, Germany, Poland and France have sent planes, vehicles and firefighters to help. No word if Turkey is helping. I don't know if the US is offering assistance.
Sounds like a country on the Venezuelan road.
Bump!
Glad your relatives are safe. What an awful tragedy.