Greece ramps up fire‑fighting readiness as wildfire risk peaks

Greek Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Evg­alios Turkas said that about 85 % of forest fires stem from human negligence and that arrests for arson have now exceeded 111. He outlined a new National Fire‑Risk Map covering the most vulnerable areas—from Thrace and Eastern Macedonia to Attica, the Eastern Aegean islands and the Peloponnese—and announced a boost to aerial resources, with roughly 80 aircraft (51 hired, about 30 national) and the first Canadair plane slated for delivery in 2028, with the fleet to be completed by 2031. Turkas also said a recruitment notice for 600 seven‑year‑term firefighters will be published within the week.

On the first day of the newly declared high‑risk fire period, strong winds created extremely adverse conditions across Greece. The General Secretariat of Civil Protection issued a fire‑risk forecast (category 4) for parts of Attica, Central Greece, the Peloponnese, Western Greece and the Northern Aegean. Over the 24‑hour period 32 forest fires erupted in regions such as Evia, Arta, Salamina, Rhodes, Eleusis, Orestiada, Stylida, Nafpaktos and Boeotia. Authorities deployed dozens of firefighters, dozens of vehicles, dozens of aircraft and helicopters, and used drones for continuous monitoring. All reported incidents were brought under control without threatening residential areas or critical infrastructure.