Wildfires have again taken hold this summer in Greece, Italy, Albania, Romania, Bulgaria, and other southeastern European countries. The harsh effects of these fires have led to devastating consequences for local communities and ecosystems.
A massive fire erupted on August 11 near the village of Varnavas, which is approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Athens. Almost 10,000 hectares, or roughly 40 square miles, of forest land were burnt.
Gale-force winds and temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius fueled towering flames exceeding 25 meters high. These flames spread southward, reaching the northern suburbs of Athens, such as Nea Penteli, Patima Halandriou, and Vrilissia—alarmingly close to the city center.
This summer's wildfires mark the first occurrence since 1981 where flames have reached urban areas near the Greek capital. The sky over Attica turned thick with black smoke, prompting health warnings for residents with lung and heart conditions.
This recent blaze stands as the second-largest to impact Attica since 2009, when over 13,000 hectares were lost due to fires. Last year, Greece experienced its most severe fire since 2000, claiming 90,000 hectares of land and the lives of 18 refugees.
The current fires led authorities to evacuate thousands, including patients and medical staff from close-by hospitals. Tragically, the body of a 65-year-old factory worker was found within the burnt wreckage of her workplace where she had sought refuge.
After burning for more than 40 hours, firefighters continued to battle smoldering remnants known as hotspots for days after. The destruction also caused widespread power outages, damaging at least 120 power poles across the region.
The uptick in fires links closely with climate change, which has prompted abnormal heat patterns. June and July this year have set records as the hottest months ever witnessed, with temperatures now frequently surpassing 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) across significant regions of Europe.
This dire situation resonates across the continental border, affecting surrounding countries including Italy and Portugal. Spain has declared drought emergencies, with water restrictions enforced on the island of Tenerife due to extreme temperatures.
Wildfires didn’t just characterise Greece, they also swept through neighboring Albania recently. The flames ignited primarily from the south and have moved northward, impacting local communities as well.
Reports from July indicated the death of an elderly man linked to continued fires flaring since early July, which worsened across Bulgaria and northern Italy too. Research from the Barcelona-based Institute for Global Health last year noted over 47,000 heat-related deaths across Europe, with Greece bearing the highest rate.
The Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis responded to the crisis, stating, “We constantly have to become better.” He emphasized the need for learning from mistakes to equip better mechanisms for managing future disasters.
Critics, including various ecological scientists, claim the current right-wing New Democracy government has fallen short since taking office. Over the past eight years, 13 significant fires have decimated over 45,000 hectares of forest area across Attica.
With nearly 40 percent of Greece’s population residing within the Attica region, health experts raised alarms about the long-term impacts of these dangerous fire events. Notably, Athens suffers from some of the lowest ratios of green spaces globally, with only 0.96 square meters per inhabitant.
Earlier this year, Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Vassilis Kikilias announced a €2.1 billion program aimed at bolstering their natural disaster response systems. Unfortunately, many of the proposals under this plan won’t materialize for the next couple of years, leaving immediate needs unmet.
From 2010 to 2020, cuts totaling €1.1 billion impacted forest protection and firefighting efforts, driven by austerity measures enforced by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund. This trend continued largely unaddressed as environmental concerns increased.
Greece’s fire service currently operates with only seven rangers overseeing 35,000 hectares, which raises significant concerns about their capacity to respond effectively to such vast regions. Firefighters report understaffing by roughly 4,000 personnel, and the average age of their team has reached 47 years.
Firefighters often endure challenging conditions, being dispatched across the country at any moment. One firefighter recounted the exhausting travel from Thessaloniki to southern Attica, describing cramped conditions and outdated equipment.
The alarming trend of communities left to fend for themselves amid brutal fires was exemplified when local farmer Dimitris Megagiannis shared his experience. “Nothing’s left of my farm,” he lamented, recounting the day he had to battle flames with nothing more than buckets of water.
Despite the devastation, financial support for victims of the fires remains minimal. Offers for homeowners affected by the flames fall between €5,000 and €10,000, barely enough to fund basic rebuilding efforts.
The EU announced minimal assistance to Greece—a far cry from the support needed—consisting of aircraft and firefighting teams from across Europe. Janez Lenarčič, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, recently tweeted about this limited response under the hashtag #EUSolidarity.
Cuts to firefighting resources have echoed through multiple EU nations, highlighting deficiencies as wildfires have surged. Citing Eurostat data, several member states slashed firefighting jobs, signaling emerging threats across Europe’s landscapes.
The dire consequences of these wildfires shone starkly during interviews with local authorities and community members, illustrating obstacles to confronting these disasters. Bravely, neighboring countries have also mobilized support amid their own crises, indicating solidarity across borders.
Despite the relentless intensity of the wildfires, international help has arrived from several nations, including Turkey, which pledged firefighting planes. Foreign governments are sending their own firefighting teams to assist, exemplifying the increasingly collaborative nature of emergency responses.
Experts speculate the effects of climate change will continue their trend of exacerbation, as unpredictability remains inherent to wildfire patterns across the region. While some relief has arrived in the form of reduced winds, restoring safety across areas devastated remains the primary focus for Greek authorities.
This latest round of wildfires serves as yet another reminder for Greece and neighboring nations of the urgency climate change poses for the future. With communities rallying to protect their homes, the importance of coordinated efforts becomes increasingly apparent.
Other sectors remain vigilant as threats loom large, and hopes for the survival of these communities lie within their resilience and the support of international friends. The road to recovery may be long, but the courage and determination of those affected shine brightly amid the shadows of devastation.
This summer's wildfires embody the plight of many regions grappling with similar climate-induced disasters, calling for more decisive action from governments and international organizations. Only through collective reflection and commitment can they hope to build resilience against future calamities.
The battle against wildfires isn’t just about fighting flames anymore; it's about fostering sustainable ecosystems and protecting communities worldwide from imminent threats. Reforestation and environmental stewardship must become central themes as affected nations piece together their futures.
