Amid a sudden surge in wildfire outbreaks, Greece has elevated its wildfire alert level to “high risk” as dozens of blazes erupted across the nation. The civil protection ministry announced on Sunday that strong winds and unseasonably warm temperatures have created a precarious situation for the country.
Between 3:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. GMT on Saturday, an alarming 71 fires were reported in agricultural and forested regions nationwide, according to the ministry, which also oversees climate crisis management. While firefighting teams managed to bring the fires under control—including a significant blaze in Lasithi on the island of Crete that burned until midday Sunday—the threat remains substantial.
Three individuals sustained minor injuries during the firefighting efforts. Additionally, one person was arrested on suspicion of causing the fire on Saturday morning. The suspect is scheduled to appear before the Lasithi public prosecutor’s office on Monday, as reported by the fire department.
Compounding the risk, meteorological forecasts predict strong winds reaching up to 60 kilometers per hour through Tuesday in various parts of Greece. “These conditions make the situation extremely dangerous for the outbreak of fires,” the civil protection ministry warned. Regions under heightened alert include the Athens area, central Greece, the Cyclades islands, and Crete. In these regions, “all civil protection services will be placed on level four (high risk of fires),” the ministry stated.
Climate scientists have expressed concern over Greece’s weather patterns this year. The Athens Observatory reported a record average winter temperature of 11.8 degrees Celsius, the warmest on record. Such elevated temperatures have left much of the land warm and dry, creating ideal conditions for wildfires. Since early April, temperatures have remained unusually high, reaching 31 degrees Celsius in Chania on Crete last Tuesday.
Greece’s vulnerability to wildfires has been escalating in recent years. Last summer, the nation endured a prolonged heatwave that led to devastating fires, resulting in 20 fatalities and scorching approximately 175,000 hectares of land. The current early-season fires have raised alarms about a potentially severe wildfire season ahead.
The government urges residents and travelers to exercise caution, adhere to local guidelines, and remain vigilant. With the combination of strong winds and dry conditions, even a small spark can lead to a significant disaster.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
