As the Greek summer approaches, early signs of wildfires have sparked concerns among experts, indicating a potentially devastating season ahead.
The recent occurrences serve as a stark reminder of the dire consequences of climate change and the urgent need for preparedness.
Early Warnings Ignite Concerns
SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP via Getty Images
In the wake of a record-breaking warm winter and unusually high spring temperatures, Greece faces the ominous prospect of another severe wildfire season.
Last year's catastrophic fires, which claimed over 20 lives and consumed nearly 175,000 hectares of land, have set a grim precedent for the challenges that may lie ahead.
The National Observatory of Athens has reported that the peak temperature reached a scorching 46.4 degrees Celsius in the Peloponnese port of Gythio last year, with this year's early June temperatures already hitting 39.3 Celsius.
These conditions, exacerbated by human-caused fossil-fuel emissions, are lengthening fire seasons and increasing the extent of land burned, as noted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
A Call to Action
Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias expressed the nation's resolve, stating, "No one can predict exactly the conditions we will face. But whatever the conditions, we are obliged to fight hard."
This sentiment is echoed by Costas Lagouvardos, research director at the National Observatory, who emphasized the statistical correlation between sustained high temperatures, drought, and large wildfires.
An early warning sign emerged on March 31 in the Pierian Mountains of central Greece, where a fire broke out at an altitude of over 1,000 meters and took four days to control.
This event was a "major wake-up call," according to Lagouvardos, signaling the urgency for heightened vigilance and proactive measures.
As Greece braces for the summer, the memories of last year's devastation remain fresh. The nation's largest ever wildfire in the Dadia National Park and the massive evacuation of tourists from the island of Rhodes serve as somber reminders of the ferocity of these natural disasters.
The Greek government and firefighting services are gearing up for the season, drawing lessons from past experiences and bolstering their defenses against the fiery threat.
The early fires are not just a warning but a call to action, urging the global community to recognize the impacts of climate change and the importance of collective efforts to mitigate its effects.
In response to the escalating wildfire threat, Greece has taken decisive steps to bolster its defenses against the anticipated fiery summer.
The country has doubled the number of firefighters in specialized units, now totaling around 1,300, to ensure a robust ground response.
Learning from international best practices, Greek authorities are adopting tactics from the United States, particularly the strategic use of airborne units to create firebreaks ahead of the advancing flames.
Additionally, the standard deployment for new fires now includes an extra fire truck, enhancing the initial firefighting efforts.
The government is also focusing on speeding up the deployment of air support to quickly contain blazes from above.
On the prevention front, significant efforts are being made to clear forests, reducing the amount of combustible material available for fires.
Furthermore, Greece is not working alone; it has welcomed a team from the California Conservation Corps to assist with fire prevention tasks on Mount Olympus.
Under the leadership of the Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry, headed by Minister Vassilis Kikilias, Greece is preparing for the worsening annual conditions brought on by the climate crisis, demonstrating a proactive and collaborative approach to this global challenge.
