Greek firefighters battle wildfires near Athens amidst strong winds

by Aerial FirefightingFeatured News

Firefighters tackle blazes near Athens

Greek firefighters were battling two wildfires near Athens on Sunday amid strong winds, just hours after managing to contain blazes in a mountainous area near the capital and on an island in the Aegean Sea, as reported by Reuters.

Dozens of firefighters in full gear, supported by 23 water-carrying aircraft, fought to control a fire near the town of Keratea, approximately 35 kilometres south of Athens.

Authorities ordered evacuations before flames from burning pine and olive trees reached houses.

Another wildfire erupted in the community of Stamata, north of Athens, burning a pine forest and sending smoke over parts of the city.

So far, this fire has not threatened any homes.

With hot, windy conditions across much of Greece, dozens of wildfires broke out over the weekend, and people were advised to avoid forested areas.

Wildfires on the island of Serifos

Firefighters were still engaged on the island of Serifos where a fire had started amid low vegetation on Saturday and spread rapidly due to strong winds.

This fire damaged houses and led to the evacuation of several hamlets.

The wildfire, which at one point spanned 15 kilometres, caused damage to holiday homes and storehouses, according to the island’s mayor, Kostas Revinthis.

Efforts to control the fire continued, with firefighters working to prevent further spread.

Mayor Revinthis described the situation: “The wildfire damaged holiday homes and storehouses.”

Measures to combat fires in Greece

Following last summer’s deadly forest fires and its warmest winter on record, Greece developed a new approach to firefighting.

This includes deploying extra fire engines to each new blaze, accelerating air support, and clearing forests.

The mountainous forest of Parnitha, near a nature reserve just outside Athens, saw a fire that had eased by Sunday morning, according to officials.

Wildfires are common in the Mediterranean country but have become more destructive in recent years due to hotter, drier, and windier summers, which scientists attribute to the effects of climate change.

Challenges faced by Greek firefighters

Greek firefighters continue to face significant challenges due to the ongoing hot and windy conditions.

The recent spate of wildfires highlights the importance of the new firefighting doctrine implemented by Greece.

This includes faster response times and better-preparedness strategies to address the growing threat of wildfires.

Greek authorities investigate wildfires as arsonist suspected

by Featured NewsWildland Fire

Wildfires in Greece under investigation

Greek authorities are investigating the possibility that the wildfires threatening Athens were started by a single arsonist.

Civil protection minister Vassilis Kikilias stated that officials found evidence suggesting the fire near Athens was caused by arson, combined with extreme weather conditions.

A fire service spokesman noted the challenges faced by the force, stating: “Almost every 10 minutes a new fire breaks out.”

In Koropi, a storage facility and at least one home were destroyed, with the flames spreading to a boat dry dock and across fields of dry grass and olive trees.

Authorities have evacuated two nearby villages as a precaution.

The heatwave has also led to several foreign tourists dying or going missing while hiking.

Among them, 59-year-old American tourist Albert Calibet has been missing since last Tuesday on the island of Amorgos.

At least five tourists have been found dead on the Greek Islands in recent weeks.

Fire protection technical reports deadline

Today marks the deadline for the submission of fire protection technical reports by property owners near or within forested areas in Greece.

After submitting the technical and risk reports prepared by relevant scientists, property owners must complete necessary interventions by the end of June.

These include pruning trees, shrubs, and removing combustible materials, followed by submitting a Fire Protection Regulation compliance report.

Government sources indicate that no extension of the deadline is currently planned.

The priority is for citizens living close to or within forested areas to take necessary actions to prepare for potential fires.

Scientists are expected to inform property owners about the risks and recommend measures based on their financial capabilities.

The aim is to protect lives and property while easing the fire brigade’s efforts.

Implementation of fire protection measures

This year’s Fire Protection Regulation declarations will also serve as a practical exercise for relevant agencies to identify gaps, shortcomings, and omissions in the process.

The declarations, submitted manually or by email by scientific engineers, surveyors, foresters, or agronomists, will help in planning future interventions.

The application of measures for compliance has been suspended for this year, with mandatory measures focusing on the first line of protection from fire.

These include clearing branches and trees adjacent to buildings, dry grass, bushes, rubbish, and other combustible materials outdoors.

Property owners have until June 30 to complete these tasks and submit their declarations on the online platform.

Greece to enhance civil protection equipment through a €2.1 billion Aegis program

by Featured News

Overview of the Aegis program

Greece is set to significantly enhance the capabilities of its Civil Protection services through the Aegis program, involving a comprehensive budget of €2.1 billion.

This initiative, slated for advancement in 2025, will see the addition of more than 10 new aircraft and helicopters each, and over 1,100 fire engines.

It represents the most extensive equipment upgrade project in the history of Greek civil protection efforts.

Contracts for many of these procurements are already underway, with some expected to be concluded shortly and others in the final stages of tender processes.

These agreements will ensure the necessary enhancements are available for effective civil protection and disaster response across the nation.

Details on the new equipment

The Aegis program includes the procurement of three twin-engine aircraft that will act as aerial operations centres, aiding in the monitoring and data recording across Greece’s 13 regions.

Additionally, five new Canadair CL-515 firefighting aircraft valued at €260 million and three medium-sized helicopters costing €75 million are set to be acquired for various critical missions, including medical aid and disaster response.

These resources will be complemented by new fire trucks, collapsible portable bridges, and other essential equipment, which are crucial for the rapid and effective response to natural disasters and other emergencies.

Upcoming tenders and future plans

The program also outlines upcoming tenders with a combined budget of €513 million, scheduled to be announced by the end of the month.

These tenders will cover the procurement of 10 medium-type helicopters for the Fire Service, ambulances, emergency communication stations, and other specialised equipment for patrolling and evacuating citizens.

In notes to Kathimerini, Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias, commented on the urgency of these upgrades: “The climate crisis is developing rapidly and now more and more often we are faced with extreme weather phenomena that cause unprecedented natural disasters, so we are well aware that this year’s firefighting season will be very difficult and the battle we will fight a long one.”

EIB commits €220 million loan to Greece for enhanced flood and fire protection

by Featured NewsWildland Fire

European investment in Greek disaster management

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has committed a €220 million loan to Greece aimed at bolstering the country’s defences against natural disasters, including floods, wildfires, and earthquakes.

Announced on Friday, the investment will facilitate the procurement of firefighting aircraft, drones, fire engines, rescue vehicles, and advanced control centres.

This funding is part of Greece’s multi-year ‘Aegis’ plan, designed to reinforce its civil protection mechanisms in response to the increasing frequency of climate-induced disasters.

Greece has faced a series of severe natural calamities in recent years, including catastrophic wildfires in 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2023, alongside devastating floods in September 2023.

Kyriacos Kakouris, EIB Vice-President, commented: “We have seen first-hand the devastation caused by deadly wildfires and floods in Greece in recent years.

“This support will help the country respond more quickly and effectively when disaster strikes, protect lives, and better prepare for natural disasters and pandemics.”

Government commitment to disaster readiness

The funding from EIB complements an initial loan of €375 million provided in January 2021 and marks a significant increase in the EU’s support for disaster preparedness through the EIB’s Climate Adaptation Plan.

Greek Minister Vassilis Kikilias, heading the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, stated: “When I took charge of the portfolio at the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, I pledged to the prime minister and my fellow citizens that I would implement the Aegis program as quickly as possible.

“I am proud that within a few months we have managed not only to put all of the projects to tender, but we are also progressing to the next stage, their contractualization.”

The program, expected to run until 2025, aims to overhaul Greece’s civil protection infrastructure to enable more effective responses, improve coordination at local levels, and enhance the equipment used in disaster scenarios.

Impact on European disaster management

This initiative represents the first targeted direct EIB support for civil protection and disaster preparedness in Greece and constitutes the largest amount of EIB aid allocated for such purposes in Europe.

Nikos Papathanasis, Alternate Minister of Economy and Finance, reflected on the broader implications: “Dealing with the consequences of the climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges the modern world faces.

“The destruction caused by storm ‘Daniel’ show the importance of common European policy, the effectiveness of European funds, and the part played by programs like Aegis.”

IFSJ Comment

The new €220 million loan by the European Investment Bank to Greece underscores a vital stride in enhancing Europe’s readiness against natural calamities.

As climate change continues to manifest through severe weather events, such financial and structural support is imperative for nations like Greece, frequently at the forefront of disaster impacts.

This strategic infusion of funds not only fortifies Greek civil protection but also sets a precedent for future European Union policies on disaster readiness and response.

Europe’s 2023 wildfire season among century’s worst as preparations for 2024 begin

by Featured NewsWildland Fire

Overview of the 2023 wildfire season in Europe

The 2023 wildfire season in Europe was one of the most severe this century, with over half a million hectares scorched, as reported by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre.

The report, titled “Forest Fires in Europe, Middle East and North Africa 2023,” noted that the affected area, twice the size of Luxembourg, marked the third worst year in terms of burnt land after 2017 and 2022.

Climate change was highlighted as a key factor, increasing both the frequency and intensity of wildfires across the continent.

Greece’s proactive measures against wildfires

With the wildfire threat escalating, Greece has initiated fire prevention efforts earlier than ever before, starting on April 15.

The Government Gazette has published the decision following recent recommendations from fire services due to early wildfires.

Measures include a strict ban on outdoor fires, impacting farmers, gardeners, and campers.

The urgency of these actions reflects the heightened risk and the need for immediate preparedness as the fire season approaches.

Enhancements in fire response and prevention

In response to the growing wildfire risk, Greece is not only focusing on immediate fire bans but also enhancing its fire response capabilities.

A €2.1 billion funding boost aims to upgrade the national fleet of water tankers and develop an artificial intelligence-driven sensor network to detect fires early.

These technological advancements are part of a broader strategy to improve response times and effectiveness in combating wildfires.

IFSJ Comment

The 2023 wildfire season in Europe has served as a stark reminder of the increasing challenges that climate change poses to fire safety and management.

With record areas devastated by fires, particularly in the Mediterranean, the urgency for enhanced preparedness and advanced technological solutions has never been more apparent.

As nations like Greece lead the way with proactive measures and significant investments in fire prevention and response technology, the focus is now on broader European efforts to mitigate future risks and ensure better protection for communities and natural landscapes.

These initiatives are crucial in adapting to the evolving nature of wildfire threats and underline the need for continued investment and innovation in fire safety strategies across Europe.

Head-on train trash kills 38 in Greece, death toll to rise

by Breaking News

 At least 38 people have died as the result of a passenger train in Greece collided head-on with a freight train late on Tuesday. Carriages derailed before bursting into flames in what has been deemed the country’s deadliest rail crash in living memory.

Officials said the death toll was expected to rise further, as temperatures in one carriage had risen to 1,300 Celsius (2,370 F) after it caught fire. Many of the victims were thought to be university students returning home after a long holiday weekend.

Authorities have said they are working to establish how the high-speed passenger train collided with another carrying shipping containers, coming in the opposite direction and on the same track at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a televised address on Wednesday: “Everything in this tragedy points, unfortunately, mainly to human error.”

Engulfed in flames

Passengers reportedly described a ‘nightmarish’ crash which engulfed their train in flames just before midnight near the central town of Larissa around 200 miles north of Athens. The train had departed from the Greek capital and was headed to the northern city of Thessaloniki. Some broke through windows to escape the fire whilst others were thrown up to 40 metres (130 ft) on impact.

Stergios Minenis, a 28-year-old who jumped to safety, said: “There was panic… The fire was immediate. As we were turning over we were being burned, fire was right and left.”

Another passenger, who escaped from the fifth carriage, told Skai TV: “Windows were being smashed and people were screaming… One of the windows caved in from the impact of iron from the other train.

Death toll ‘likely to rise’

A station master has been arrested as investigators try to work out why the two trains had been on the same track, whilst the country’s transport minister has resigned.

As rescuers continue to search the wreckage, fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Varthakogiannis said the temperatures in the first carriage made it hard to identify those trapped inside, or say how many died and based on this, the death toll was likely to rise.

Strike action

In later statements, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he had accepted the resignations of senior officials in rail operator OSE and its subsidiary ERGOSE.

In Athens, around 1,000 people have been protesting outside the offices of Hellenic Train, another branch of the rail network, where some threw stones at windows.

Hellenic Train said it had suspended all scheduled trains on Thursday after railway workers said they would strike.

“Pain has turned into anger for the dozens of dead and wounded colleagues and fellow citizens,” the workers’ union said in a statement announcing the strike. “The disrespect shown over the years by governments to the Greek railways led to the tragic result.”