Synopsis
As Greece prepares for another challenging wildfire season in 2025, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis extends the deadline for clearing vegetation on private properties by 45 days, emphasizing the necessity for public cooperation and announcing an increase in firefighting resources.Key Takeaways
- Extension of vegetation clearing deadline by 45 days.
- Importance of public cooperation in fire prevention.
- Record number of firefighters and resources deployed.
- New strategies implemented for early fire response.
- Increased damages from wildfires in recent years.
Athens, April 25 (NationPress) Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has declared a 45-day extension for the deadline to remove overgrown vegetation on private properties, as part of the nation’s strategy to enhance readiness for what is anticipated to be another demanding wildfire season.
On Thursday, Mitsotakis emphasized the importance of public involvement in clearing land, describing it as a vital line of defense that has proven effective in safeguarding homes and supporting firefighting initiatives during last year's catastrophic fires.
Mitsotakis further stated, "There are more firefighters deployed, and the count of trained volunteers is steadily increasing."
"We need to prepare for the worst-case scenario," the Prime Minister remarked, while officials pointed out that over 1,300 fires ignited in March, coinciding with the period when Greek farmers typically burn residual crops, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
The Prime Minister’s office revealed that over 18,000 firefighters will be operational this year, marking a record high.
An additional 300 firefighters from five other European Union nations will be stationed permanently in Greece this year, it was noted.
Moreover, the country will deploy 3,700 fire engines and 80 surveillance drones.
Greece faced a series of lethal wildfires last year, including a major inferno that compelled thousands to evacuate their residences and reached the outskirts of Athens before it was contained.
The Civil Protection and Climate Crisis Ministry confirmed that the fire season for this year will commence on May 1 as is customary.
Improved interagency coordination and investment in early warning systems are key components of the 2025 fire response strategy.
As reported by the Hellenic Fire Service, over 8,000 wildfires occurred during the 2024 fire season, resulting in the loss of seven lives, including two firefighters, the destruction of 210 homes, and the burning of more than 150,000 hectares, with total damages surpassing 1.2 billion euros ($1.37 billion), a 35 percent increase from 2023.
In a significant change in its traditional firefighting strategies, Greece decided to start deploying aerial and ground units in the initial critical hours after a fire ignites last year, alongside increased patrols, measures that have proven effective in minimizing damage to land and property.
