There have been 667 fires in recent days, more than 60 per day, Climate Change Minister Vassilis Kikilias said during a forest fire briefing.

Mr. Kikilias had by his side the secretary general of the Academy of Athens, professor of Atmospheric Physics and Climatology Christos Zerefos, the chief of the Fire Brigade, Lieutenant General Georgios Pournaras, and the head of the General Directorate of Forests and Forest Environment of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, Evangelos Goudoufas.

As he noted, many of them came from human hands, as they are due to arson, criminal negligence or intent.

There have been many complaints about simultaneous events in the same area at close distances, he said.

Weather conditions

The difference with other years, the minister noted, was the weather conditions, in which the mechanism was called upon to manage the crisis. Politicians, state apparatus and citizens must seriously manage the new treaty, emphasized Mr. Kikilias.

“Never before have we had a map on alert for so many days in a row, in so many regions,” he said.

“The climate crisis will not go away,” said Vassilis Kikilias.

The Fire Department brought the majority of all these areas under control. However, 10 fires took on large dimensions and tested the limits and endurance of everyone and above all of citizens, he said characteristically.

“The year 2023 will be remembered”, said Professor of Atmospheric Physics and Climatology Christos Zerefos, emphasizing that we should not forget 2007 where even then for two days, although there were no Civil Protection maps, the degree of danger was at 5 .

The mild winter

“The mild winter resulted in us losing half of the water this year and reduced soil moisture,” he pointed out, which he explained creates a situation that favors the spread of forest fires.

“The forest ecosystems of Greece are among the most sensitive in the world. The forest ecosystem is essential. If we protect it, there is hope that it will be regenerated,” said the professor of Atmospheric Physics.

We have to adapt

“Unfortunately, the issue of forest protection is very difficult,” he said. “In addition to prevention, there is also adaptation. The cost of climate change will exceed 700 billion euros. If we adapt, it is reduced to 400 billion euros” he added saying that knowledge, information and early intervention are essential elements for dealing with fires.

The firemen’s leaves were revoked

The head of the Fire Department, lieutenant general Georgios Pournaras, pointed out that all personnel’s leaves have been revoked, pointing out that a titanic struggle is being fought.

He pointed out that 350 people from the Fire Service as well as aerial vehicles were working on the fires in Rhodes, mentioning at the same time that unfavorable weather conditions..

Especially regarding the fires in Magnesia, he pointed out that only yesterday from 11:30 to 4 pm, nine fires occurred simultaneously.

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