Greek wildfire threat nears, outpacing preparations
As summer draws near, Greece is bracing for another potentially devastating wildfire season, which is being exacerbated by climate change. Last year, a blaze on the island of Rhodes led to one of Greece's largest disaster evacuations, with 19,000 people forced to flee. Despite Greece adopting new measures to combat the increasing threat of wildfires, experts argue that these may fall short in addressing the critical issues of planning and prevention. The country has recorded its warmest winter to date, laying the groundwork for conditions ripe for wildfires. These pose a significant risk to agriculture, residential areas, and Greece's vital tourism sector. Notably, fires have started earlier than usual this year, with an unexpected outbreak in March in typically snow-covered regions. Vassilis Kikilias, the Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, has acknowledged the severity of the upcoming fire season, attributing it to extreme weather changes and a particularly dry winter. In response, Greece has pursued various initiatives, such as constructing firebreaks, enhancing training, and bolstering its firefighting fleet with over 1,000 fire engines and seven DHC-515 firefighting aircraft. Additionally, efforts have been made to hire 700 new forest rangers and clear significant areas of forest land to prevent the spread of fires. Nonetheless, firefighters and experts argue that these measures are insufficient, pointing out that the treated areas represent a minuscule portion of Greece's extensive woodlands and that some resources, including vehicles and aircraft, may not be operational for years. A fire meteorologist from the National Observatory of Athens highlighted the need for a comprehensive fire management strategy, emphasizing that suppression efforts alone are inadequate. As temperatures start to climb, Greece faces a summer filled with uncertainty and concern over the wildfire threat.