Greece has announced a significant increase in firefighting resources this summer in response to escalating wildfire risks fueled by climate change. The country is set to deploy a record number of firefighters and nearly double the number of drones used for monitoring and combating wildfires, as revealed by government officials.
Civil Protection Minister Ioannis Kefalogiannis highlighted that the workforce would include 18,000 permanent and seasonal firefighters, supported by numerous volunteers, to tackle the growing incidence of wildfires, which have worsened over the last twenty years.
“The conditions this year are expected to be particularly challenging,” Kefalogiannis said after observing a firefighting drill near Athens. In recent years, rising temperatures and reduced rainfall have exacerbated these challenges, increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires.
Greek Fire Chief Lt. Gen. Theodoros Vagias emphasized the need for enhanced surveillance, preparedness, and resource mobilization in addressing the persistent threat posed by the climate crisis. Additional elite firefighting units will focus on high-risk zones during the peak fire season from May 1 to October 31.
According to the European Union’s Forest Fire Information System, wildfire damage in Greece has dramatically increased, affecting more than 1,300 square kilometers in 2021 and 1,745 square kilometers in 2023, which stands at about three times the average from 2011 to 2020.
During a recent exercise, Greek authorities showcased an evolved wildfire response strategy relying heavily on technological advancements, including drone surveillance and mobile command setups. Fire-fighting aircraft performed coordinated water drops while ground commanders directed operations using real-time drone footage. An evacuation drill simulating a fire threat to a children’s summer camp involved the coast guard and armed forces.
Over the past two years, the number of firefighters in Greece has grown by approximately 20%, and the drone fleet for fire surveillance has expanded from 45 to 82. Additionally, around 300 firefighters from various European nations, including the Czech Republic, France, Romania, Moldova, and Bulgaria, will assist under a European Union-staffing initiative.