Posts tagged: Greece

Record number of firefighters to tackle rising wildfire risk

Greece will deploy 18,000 firefighting personnel this summer as part of an expanded effort to combat wildfires linked to climate change, according to Associated Press.

Civil Protection Minister Ioannis Kefalogiannis said the force would include both permanent and seasonal staff, supported by thousands of volunteers.

Kefalogiannis said: “It is clear that the conditions this year will be particularly difficult.”

Increase in drone surveillance and advanced coordination tools

According to Associated Press, the number of drones used for fire surveillance in Greece has increased to 82, up from 45 two years ago.

Firefighters are using mobile command centres and real-time drone footage to monitor wildfire developments and coordinate response efforts more efficiently.

The latest exercise, held south of Athens, included coordinated water drops by fire planes and drone-assisted ground operations.

Climate change is altering fire season conditions

Greek Fire Chief Lt. Gen. Theodoros Vagias told Associated Press that rising temperatures and reduced rainfall are creating more challenging wildfire conditions.

Vagias said: “The climate crisis is here to stay, and we must be more effective in surveillance, preparedness, and how we mobilise our resources.”

He added that elite firefighting units would be sent to areas assessed as high risk between 1 May and 31 October.

Wildfire damage has tripled compared to previous decade

According to data from the European Union’s Forest Fire Information System, wildfire damage in Greece reached 1,745 square kilometres in 2023.

This is nearly three times the average annual area burned between 2011 and 2020.

In 2021, fires scorched more than 1,300 square kilometres, reflecting a rising trend over the past two decades.

European Union sends international support to Greece

The Associated Press reported that around 300 firefighters from France, Romania, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Moldova will be deployed in Greece under a European Union prepositioning programme.

These personnel are expected to support local teams during the peak fire season.

The coast guard and armed forces are also participating in simulation exercises to prepare for potential evacuations and multi-agency response scenarios.

Greece boosts wildfire response with more firefighters and drones: Summary

Greece is deploying 18,000 firefighting personnel for the 2025 wildfire season.

The government reported a 20% increase in personnel numbers over the past two years.

The fire surveillance drone fleet has grown from 45 to 82.

Advanced technologies such as drone video streams and mobile command centres are being used in firefighting operations.

Climate conditions have worsened due to increased temperatures and reduced rainfall.

Greek Fire Chief Theodoros Vagias said elite units will be assigned to high-risk zones during the May to October fire period.

Wildfire damage reached 1,745 square kilometres in 2023.

This is nearly three times the 2011–2020 average, according to EU data.

International support from five European countries is being deployed to assist Greek fire services.

Wildfire near Athens devastates 25,000 acres

Greek firefighting forces continue their efforts to fully extinguish the remnants of a wildfire that erupted on August 11 in the northeastern outskirts of Athens.

The fire claimed one life, destroyed numerous homes and businesses, and scorched over 25,000 acres of land.

Although the fire has been largely contained, authorities remain on alert for potential flare-ups due to extreme weather conditions.

The wildfire originated near Varnavas, approximately 22 miles northeast of Athens, and rapidly spread due to strong winds and extreme heat.

Thousands of residents were evacuated as the fire impacted over 104 square kilometers of land.

Initial assessments by local authorities reported that at least 78 homes were uninhabitable, while 22 businesses suffered damage.

The fire’s swift spread has been linked to the phenomenon of spotting, where embers are carried by the wind to ignite new fires.

Nikos Lavranos, head of the Greek Federation of Fire Service Employees, said: “That is more evident in recent years. Conditions have changed, and it’s becoming more usual.”

Government response and firefighting measures

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited Elefsina’s military airport to personally thank firefighting aircraft pilots for their efforts.

He acknowledged the climate crisis’ role in the severity of the fire and called for improvements to Greece’s disaster response.

“This is an effort we all make in response to a significant climate crisis,” Mitsotakis said during his visit.

International support has played a key role in the firefighting efforts.

Greece received aid from nine countries, including Turkey, which provided ground crews and aerial assistance through water-dropping planes and helicopters.

These efforts helped to contain the fire just outside of Athens, but firefighting crews remain on high alert due to ongoing weather threats.

Impact on the environment and infrastructure

The wildfire’s destruction extends beyond homes and businesses.

According to Greece’s National Observatory, this fire represents yet another setback for Greece’s natural environment.

The Attica region has lost 450 square kilometers of forest over the past eight years due to wildfires, with the recent blaze accounting for 37% of the region’s forested land.

Satellite imagery from the European Union’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service revealed the full extent of the fire’s damage, while NOAA satellites tracked a smoke cloud stretching 180 miles southwest toward Libya.

Greece’s government has implemented various compensation and relief measures to assist those affected by the disaster.

Ongoing inspections aim to determine the full scope of the damage.

Firefighting crews continue to monitor the fire-stricken area to prevent further incidents as the country remains on high alert for potential wildfires.

International collaboration and ongoing monitoring

The wildfire near Athens has drawn international attention, leading to cooperation between Greece and its neighbouring countries.

Assistance from Turkey and other nations played a crucial role in the firefighting operations, particularly in preventing the fire from reaching Athens.

The European Union and other organisations also provided satellite data to assist in assessing the fire’s impact and guiding firefighting efforts.

Despite the fire being largely contained, the potential for flare-ups remains a concern.

Firefighting teams continue their monitoring efforts around the clock.

The risk of further incidents is heightened by the region’s extreme heat and gusty winds, with authorities focusing on ensuring the safety of both residents and firefighters.

This situation highlights the growing challenges Greece faces due to climate change and its impact on the country’s vulnerability to wildfires.

Greek firefighting forces work to contain wildfire near Athens: Summary

Greek firefighting forces remain engaged in extinguishing a wildfire that broke out on August 11 near Athens, which claimed one life, destroyed homes and businesses, and burned over 25,000 acres of land.

The fire has been mostly contained, but extreme weather conditions pose a continued threat.

Greece received international assistance in combating the fire, and authorities are conducting inspections to assess the damage.

The fire has had a significant impact on Greece’s natural environment, destroying 37% of the Attica region’s forested land.

Firefighting teams continue to monitor the area to prevent further flare-ups.