Review of this year's fire season in Greece
The Minister of State, Akis Skertsos, recently presented the data regarding the fire season in Greece. According to official figures, the burnt areas in our country showed a decrease of 30.1% compared to the average of the last twenty years.
Despite this decrease, Mr. Skertsos emphasized that there is no reason for complacency or celebration. This year was particularly difficult, as the fires caused the loss of nine people, five of whom were firefighters and four were civilians.
Destructive fires are not only a Greek phenomenon, as other Mediterranean countries faced similar challenges. A characteristic example is Spain, where a large fire in the Almería region resulted in the deaths of 13 people.
The government points out that climate change makes forest fires a constant threat to the country. For this reason, the authorities continue to seek ways for better prevention and more effective management of risks in the future.