Emergency management

The EU's Copernicus/Emergency Management Service - Mapping service found that the ongoing wildfires in west Attica that started from the settlement of Kouvaras have destroyed 3,472 hectares, of which 164 were built-up areas, houses, businesses, farms etc. 

An expert in disaster management has voiced concern that successive wildfires and heatwaves will spell the "environmental collapse" of Attica, home to the Greek capital, Athens, as the region continues to battle major wildfires burning through forests, brush, pastureland, residential settlements, farms and businesses.  

After the destructive wildfires on Evia in August 2021, the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis passed a legislative act by which public or private forests destroyed by fires must be earmarked for reforestation within 30 days. 

The provision was aimed at discouraging encroachers and leading to the summary demolition of all buildings erected on burnt land.

Raging wildfires in several provinces, notably in the southern cities of Hatay and Mersin, have been taken under control after two days of strenuous efforts, while at least 500 hectares of land have been reduced to ashes in the fire in the northwestern city of Çanakkale.

Soaring summer temperatures across southern Europe could prompt a lasting shift in tourist habits, with more travelers choosing cooler destinations or taking their holidays in spring or autumn to dodge the extreme heat, tourism bodies and experts predict.

Four Canadair water-dropping aircraft are expected to arrive in Greece from France and Italy to help put out wildfires raging in Attica, Viotia and Corinth, following the activation of the EU-wide Civil Protection Mechanism.

A large wildfire has broken out in the Kouvaras region of eastern Attica, as reported by the Fire Brigade. The fire started at 12.27 p.m. and is spreading through low vegetation.

Residential areas are not currently at risk, despite the presence of strong winds in the area.

Some 88 percent of the forest fires break out due to human-induced reasons, while the number of such incidents has risen significantly in the last two decades, says a prominent environmental organization.

A wildfire that broke out in Astakos, Etoloakarnania, on Monday was placed under control, the Hellenic Fire Service said.

A total of five vehicles and a 15-member crew remain on site to get the fire fully under control and guard against any possible rekindling. [AMNA]

Two wildfires broke out on Thursday in separate incidents on the island of Lesvos, in eastern Greece, and the region of Ilia, in the western Peloponnese. 

The Fire Service said it had sent 22 firefighters with four vehicles and two water-dropping aircraft near the semi-mountainous settlement of Antissa, in western Lesvos.