As the end of summer approaches, the danger from forest fires is slowly receding, although September can still bring increased fire risks from high temperatures and high winds. This year has seen large numbers of forest fires across the country, but fewer on the scale of previous years. According to Global Forest Watch (www.globalforestwatch.org), the number of fires in Greece detected by the VIIRS satellite-based infrared imaging system is in the normal range for this year: “in Greece there have been 280 VIIRS fire alerts reported so far in 2024 considering high confidence alerts only. This total is normal compared to the total for previous years going back to 2012. The most fires recorded in a year was 2023, with 1,150.”
Statistical information about the number of fires is difficult to pin down, with many conflicting numbers quoted by different sources. The EFFIS – European Forest Fire Information System – which assembles data supplied by Member States, provides lower figures, which are for “fires mapped of 30 hectares or above”. On the other hand, on May 8th Keeptalkinggreece.com reported that “Greece experienced 3,543 wildfires between January 1 and May 1, a rise of 22% compared to last year’s 2,907 blazes, according to the Fire Service” – a figure which presumably includes all fires reported to the Fire Service, no matter their size.
The fact that a relatively limited number of fires have reached unmanageable proportions supports the notion that following recent disasters – which last year included the need to evacuate 19,000 people by land on sea on the island of Rhodes – government measures to improve both readiness and the response to fires have had an effect. Among these are the creation of teams of “forest commandos”, first created in 2021 after disastrous blazes in Attica and on the island of Evia. With their numbers doubled since their inception to a total of 1,200 personnel nationwide, the teams are able penetrate areas where vehicle access is difficult and are accompanied by fire observers equipped with drones and portable meteorological stations which can monitor progress of the blaze and identify safe points, gathering places, and escape routes. (Ekathimerini)
The worst fire to date this year broke out on Sunday 11th August near Varnavas, 35 kilometres north of Athens and by the next day had advanced to the edges of Athens’ densely populated northern suburbs, encroaching on the heavily wooded Mount Penteli. At its peak, the fire engaged nearly 700 firefighters, supported by volunteers, 190 fire engines, and 33 water-bombing aircraft. One person was found to have died and thousands were evacuated from their homes, before the fire was brought more or less under control three days later.
On Crete, scattered outbreaks of fire south of Rethymnon on 7th and 8th August were being tackled by over 200 firefighters, with residents of the village of Agia Paraskevi being evacuated as a precaution and those of Apodoulou, Agios Ioannis, and Nithavri being told to prepare for evacuation. but the fire was brought under control with no injuries or damage to property reported.
Fire prevention in Crete
A major component in the management of forest fires is the management of human behaviour to reduce the risk of fires starting in the first place. The Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection posts a daily Fire Risk Map showing the state of fire risk according to temperature and weather conditions in all parts of the country, and issues guidelines for action during high-risk periods.
On Sunday 25th August, the Civil Protection service of the Region of Crete issued a notice to the effect that according to the daily Fire Risk Map posted by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, the whole of Crete was in the fire risk category 4 (orange – very high), which is one below the maximum (red – alarm state). In addition the General Secretary for Civil Protection declared the whole of the island to be at Red Code mobilisation status. According to the Regional Authority’s press release, “All Services and Technical Facilities belonging to the civil protection mechanism have been placed in full mobilisation, deploying the necessary manpower and the necessary equipment.”
Daily Fire Risk Map for Wednesday 28th August. There are 5 levels of fire risk: 1 (green) Low, 2 (blue) Medium, 3 (yellow) High, 4 (orange) Very high, 5 (red) Alarm state. A label in the map states that there is increased risk of fire where there are lightning strikes in forests or wooded areas.
Source: Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection.
Citizens were reminded of the prohibitions in force at risk levels 4 and 5 on:
– the burning and use of fire on crop remnants, grassland and others
– the smoking of beehives
– carrying out heat-generating activities (welding, cutting wheels etc)
– the use of open-air barbecues
– the use of Sky Lanterns (airborne lanterns or balloons)
– the use of fireworks.
Also in force was the precautionary prohibition of access, stopover and circulation of vehicles in high-protection forest ecosystems which are in areas at high risk of the spread of fire, in NATURA areas, as well as other sensitive areas of the Region of Crete, as have been designated by the decision of Deputy Regional Governors.
Prohibited areas at times of high fire risk
The list includes:
– For the Regional Unit of Lasithi, four sites in the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos, two in Ierapetra, one spanning both Agios Nikolaos and Ierapetra and one in Sitia.
– For the Regional Unit of Heraklion, one site in the Municipality of Viannos, one in Phaestos, one in Gortyna, one in Malevizi, and three in Asterousia.
– For the Regional Unit of Rethymnon, five in the Municipality of Rethymnon, five in Agios Vasilios and one in Mylopotamos.
– For the Regional Unit of Chania, one in the Municipality of Kissamos, two in Kandanos-Selino, one in Kandanos Selino-Sfakia, three in Chania and two in Gavdos, namely:
1. European footpath E4 Balos-Falassarna, Kissamos
2. European footpath E4 Krios-Elafonissi, Kandanos-Selino
3. European footpath E4 Sougia-Gialiskari, Kandanos-Selino
4. European footpath E4 Sougia-Agia Roumeli, Kandanos-Selino and Sfakia
5. Windmill park at Kathiana, Chania
6. Prevantorio pine forest, Chania
7. Agios Mathaios forest, Chania
8. Agios Ioannis forest, Gavdos
9. Korfos forest, Gavdos
The boundaries of the areas which are subject to prohibition are shown on maps which have been compiled with the cooperation of the Forestry Directorates of Crete and which can be seen here: https://www.crete.gov.gr/chartes-politikis-prostasias/. (There are also maps of camping grounds, population refuge and assembly areas, archaeological sites, museums and monasteries and other relevant sites, according to Regional Unit.)
The prohibition does not apply to residents or those working in the areas in question. Citizens are requested to observe the prohibitions, to take information only from official sources and to follow the Authorities’ instructions. Transgressors may be subject to administrative fines, while more severe penalties may also apply. In addition the Fire Service communicates infringements to the relevant licensing authority, for any further action it may want to take related to its own responsibilities (e.g. Directorate for the Rural Economy and Veterinary Affairs, etc).
Useful links
The daily Fire Risk Map of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection can been seen here: https://civilprotection.gov.gr/en/xartis.
The home page of the Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection (https://civilprotection.gov.gr/en) contains links to protection guidelines not only for forest fires but also for heatwaves, landslides, earthquakes and many other potential disasters. The material is available in 10 languages including Greek and English.
Emergency telephone numbers
199 Fire Service
112 European emergency line
1591 Inspectorate for the Application of Forestry Policy
100 Police
108 Coastguard
166 Ambulance