Greece is now dealing with a string of destructive wildfires on what has been called the most difficult day of the year.
The country is experiencing an extraordinary early summer temperature as a result of the fires, which started close to the capital city of Athens.
A State of Alarm
ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images
Firefighters have been deployed to control the infernos, areas of residence, and critical green areas where temperatures soared to a sizzling 44 degrees Celsius.
Fires, fanned by strong winds, have caused evacuations in several areas. Residents were warned to take cover and stay clear of hazardous smoke.
The Greek emergency services are working nonstop and battling the fires with all their might, while the government has been put on red alert.
Not just the flames, but the winds intensified the fires and made it highly impossible to extinguish them as well. There are already claims that many vehicles and several houses have been damaged due to the fire.
The Cost to Humans and the Environment
Among victims of wildfires, a 45-year-old man died of cardiac arrest while trying to flee the fire.
As such, the environmental consequences are also extremely serious since huge tracts of forests have been destroyed, including Mt. Parnitha, referred to by some as "the lungs of Athens.".
The Greek government and firefighting teams are still on high alert, with ground forces stationed at every corner of the area to survey possible reignitions.
This unusually early heatwave, followed by wildfires in the nation, has made people realize the threats from climate change.
Greece has been greatly helped by international assistance during the wildfire catastrophe. Sweden and Cyprus, among others, have led the way in offering emergency firefighting assistance.
Cyprus provided 40 emergency responders and a military C-130 aircraft outfitted with fire vehicles. Sweden sent out a specialist firefighting squad in the interim.
Many other countries have also contributed significantly by deploying firefighters and fire trucks, including France, Croatia, Romania, Spain, and several others.
This coordinated worldwide response highlights the cooperative spirit and the common commitment to tackling environmental concerns on a global scale.
Long-term Recovery Plans for Greece
Greece has extensive and varied long-term recovery efforts following the wildfires. The government has redesigned its wildfire response plan, emphasizing the improvement of forest firefighting units and the more efficient use of firefighting resources.
Forest fuel management and other fire protection initiatives now receive a sizable percentage of the budget.
Further, there are reforestation projects in the piping, for which associations and private companies are encouraged to participate in the process of "adopting" trees.
At the same time, the recovery plan of Greece, with its various investments and measures aimed at mitigating the economic and societal impacts of wildfires, has been approved by the European Commission.
As indicated by these programs, the goals set before the government's measure have been the establishment of a more fire-resilient Greece but also the recovery of damaged ecosystems.
All things considered, the situation that Greece finds itself in today demands comprehensive approaches to combating and reducing these extreme weather events.
The nation's emergency services and citizens are tough and dedicated in the face of extreme adversity as they battle the raging wildfires.
