Forest fires are currently one of the most common problems facing Greece, with environmentalists warning of more frequent and more intense fires due to prolonged heat waves heat waves. According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), the number of fires has already increased dramatically in the first quarter of this year compared to the period from 2008 to 2021.
In Greece, wildfires are nothing new, but the flames are now coming closer and closer to residential areas. Journalist Theodoros Chondrogiannis, smelling the smoke from the fire in his bedroom, wrote in a report: «For the first time, I find myself wondering: What should I take—or rather, what can I take with me—when my house burns down?»
For Greece, 2021 was an extreme year for wildfires, as most of northern Euboea—and other areas as well—were completely destroyed. However, the government does not seem to have fully grasped the severity of the situation—or perhaps it has other priorities. Since Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis took office, there has been a disproportionate increase in funding for law enforcement agencies—and not only for them. Police officers and priests appear to be a priority for the government rather than firefighters.
In Greece today, there are 500 police officers per 100,000 residents, while the EU average is approximately 300 police officers. Ever since last year’s wildfires, many of those affected have criticized the excessive police presence and the lack of adequate firefighting resources. In November 2021, hundreds of seasonal firefighters—who had previously been hailed as «heroes» by the government, clashed with riot police during a protest rally. Among their demands was the strengthening of the fire department by making their positions permanent.
A few days ago, social media users directed sharp criticism at the Minister of Citizen Protection, Takis Theodorikakos, when he posted a photo on Twitter showing police officers putting out a small fire and congratulated them on their work.
All talk, no action
Every year, the same promises: that the fire protection system will be better next year. Since 2011, we’ve been hearing the number «4,000,» the number of firefighters that need to be hired to fill the vacancies in the fire department. In reality, however, only 500 people have been hired.
The stance taken by Christos Stylianidis, Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, was also strongly criticized, as on Wednesday morning (July 20) he shared a tweet from the President of the Hellenic Republic marking the anniversary of the Turkish invasion of his homeland, Cyprus, at the very same time that residents of the Athens suburbs were trying to escape the raging inferno.
It was only several hours later that he spoke to the press, praising his strategy, which has coordination, cooperation, and timely intervention as its primary goals. In light of such a strategy, the appointment of, for example, 3.266 new priests at the state’s expense, while at the same time firefighters—who are absolutely essential—are not being given permanent positions.
A specific example: Despite the concerns expressed by the environmental organization WWF and the Byron Forest Protection Volunteer Group regarding the risk of forest fires, very few preventive measures have been taken. «I spoke with residents of Penteli who had volunteered to clear the forest of brush and flammable materials, but they were never given permission,» reports journalist Tony Rigopoulos.
The government has, of course, promised to prevent fires in a timely manner and respond to them effectively following the intense criticism it received last year. Since early July, Greek firefighters have been undergoing training alongside their colleagues from six European countries at critical locations across the country. «However, firefighters must be very familiar with the area in the event of forest fires; otherwise, they cannot provide meaningful assistance,» Stavros Salagiannis, head of the Byron volunteer forest protection team, told DW.
Florian Schmitz
Source: DW
