A New Year's Day tragedy unfolded in Porto Rafti when an elderly man was found dead after a fire broke out in his home on Salaminos Street. Despite the efforts of 10 firefighters who responded to the scene, the man’s life could not be saved. Authorities are now investigating the cause of the deadly blaze.
Tag: firefighting
A hotel fire in Kalambaka, near the famed Meteora rock formations, prompted the swift evacuation of families with children early this morning. Firefighters, supported by eight fire engines and a ladder truck, have successfully contained the blaze with no reported injuries. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.
At the Green Deal 2024 conference, Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias addressed the ongoing firefighting season and the challenges faced by fire brigades. He reported that, despite the official end of the fire season, new fires have broken out in several regions, contributing to a total of 9,000 incidents this year. Kikilias described the current situation as one of the most difficult in the past 30 to 35 years. He also discussed the AEGIS project, noting significant progress with tenders worth 1.8 billion euros and the imminent signing of contracts for new weather stations and radars—essential tools that Greece has been without since 2004.
Greece and several European countries are grappling with worsening wildfires intensified by climate change. On Thursday, hundreds of seasonal firefighters protested in Athens as their contracts expired following a devastating wildfire season. Representing about 2,500 firefighters, they demanded permanent positions, highlighting the extended risk of wildfires that now requires year-round firefighting capabilities. This year's season began unusually early and has seen over 4,500 wildfires, burning more land than the annual average. The Greek government's response to their demands for year-round employment remains unclear.
A fire broke out earlier this evening (October 23) in the Petalída area of Kimolos,…
In a parliamentary session focused on wildfires, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis highlighted the importance of the emergency number 112 in saving lives. He reported that this year has been the most challenging in the last 40 years, with 9,101 fires recorded compared to 7,163 last year. While 1,754,000 acres burned last year, this year saw 440,000 acres affected. Mitsotakis emphasised that the Mediterranean is at the heart of the climate crisis, facing increasing challenges that require ongoing attention and response.
Australian companies McDermott Aviation and Pay's Air Service have been instrumental in supporting Greek firefighting efforts this summer, deploying 28 aircraft and 250 crew members. Their commitment to leveraging expertise and resources has proven vital in combating the devastating wildfires, showcasing the strength of international collaboration in times of crisis.
Greece has announced the acquisition of a DHC-515 firefighting aircraft under the "Civil Protection 2021-2027" program, enhancing its emergency response capabilities. This 53.1 million-euro purchase, supported by the European Regional Development Fund, is part of a larger agreement with the EU and Canada. The new aircraft promise improved performance, featuring greater water-carrying capacity and modern navigation systems, and are part of Greece's efforts to upgrade its firefighting and disaster response fleet.
The European Union has rushed aerial firefighting support to Greece as wildfires continue to burn across the country. Firefighting planes from Croatia, Cyprus, France, and Italy, along with helicopters from Slovenia and Slovakia, have been deployed through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
The wildfire in Corinth continues to rage, with the situation described as "extremely difficult" and firefighting forces now battling the blaze primarily on the ground. The EU has activated its mechanism to provide assistance, including sending firefighting aircraft and launching emergency satellite mapping. The fire has caused significant damage, including the loss of two lives and widespread destruction of forests, crops, and infrastructure.
A wildfire ignited near Xylokastro, Corinthia, Sunday morning, prompting a full-scale response from Greek firefighting forces. Fueled by strong winds and hampered by challenging terrain, the blaze has spread from agricultural areas into nearby forests.
A massive fire erupted near Platanias on the west coast of Crete on Wednesday, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of tourists from two large hotels. The blaze, which started in a reed bed and spread quickly due to strong winds, forced authorities to evacuate the western part of the town. Despite the efforts of over 90 firefighters and three tanker helicopters, the fire was only contained to a stable perimeter by late afternoon and remained uncontrolled. The current heat waves and dried vegetation have exacerbated the situation, with another fire reported in northern Greece. This follows a recent devastating fire in Athens that destroyed over 10,000 hectares and caused significant damage.
SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis criticised the Greek government for using only 1% of the 550 million euros allocated from the Recovery and Resilience Fund for fire safety, accusing them of inefficiency. The government dismissed his claims, emphasizing their efforts to strengthen civil protection and firefighting capabilities amidst rising climate challenges.
The Hellenic Fire Service battled 44 wildfires across Greece in the last 24 hours. 15 of the fires were particularly dangerous, with several breaking out near residential areas requiring aerial support. Firefighting crews continue to tackle the remaining fires while investigations into the causes are underway.
A wildfire broke out in the Pastra area of southeastern Kefalonia on Thursday morning, with strong winds hindering firefighting efforts. Residents received a 112 alert to stay on standby as 26 firefighters, two teams, eight aircraft, and a helicopter were deployed to contain the blaze.
A wildfire broke out on Tuesday morning in the Profartas area of Kalyvia Thorikos, Attica, burning low vegetation across multiple fronts. The fire brigade has deployed 54 firefighters, two hiking teams, and 14 vehicles, with aerial support from five helicopters and one aircraft.
Due to a severe wildfire in northeastern Attica and subsequent road closures, the ferries Superrunner Jet, Andros Queen, and Theologos P will now dock at Lavrio Port instead of Rafina Port. Port authorities announced this adjustment to accommodate the emergency measures and ensure continued safe operations.
Firefighters, forest officials, and the military successfully halted a border fire above Petrovo and Goleshovo villages, preventing its spread into Bulgarian territory. Swift intervention and brief rainfall aided containment efforts, with ongoing monitoring to ensure no new outbreaks occur on Bulgarian soil.
A total of 62 wildfires have erupted across Greece in the last 24 hours, primarily due to intense lightning activity. While 44 fires have been contained, firefighting forces continue to battle eighteen. Aerial units are actively working in regions including Elassona, Skafi Kozani, Delphi, Vlacherna Arcadia, Thasos island, Karpenisi, and Corinth.
A fire broke out in Thessaloniki on Thursday, prompting a 112 emergency alert for residents of Plagiari and Trilofos Thermi to stay on standby. The fire brigade responded swiftly, with strong ground forces and aerial support being deployed to control the blaze.