Attica Forests Lost 38% to Fires Over Nine Years

Between 2017 and 2025, thirteen large wildfires burned more than 700,000 stremmata (about 465,000 stremmata of forest) in the Attica region of Greece, representing 38 % of the area classified as forest. The data, compiled from the European Copernicus Rapid Mapping Service and the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), shows that roughly 28 % of the total land area of mainland Attica (excluding islands, the Troizinia region and the lake basin) has also been affected.

The repeated fire incidents have prompted Greek authorities to adopt new fire‑prevention measures, including the “Active Battle” law, prescribed prescribed burns, controlled grazing, and the deployment of drones, thermal cameras and AI‑based detection systems to improve firefighting response.