This July the worst for Greece in terms of wildfires since 2008

The wildfires affecting Greece this past July marked the worst July for the country since 2008, Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said in a statement, while thanking Cyprus and Romania for their assistance to Greek firefighters through the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism.

“Greece has already experienced by far its worst July in terms of forest fires since 2008. The burnt area is larger and the fires are more intense and violent, destroying more surface area than before. The fire in Alexandroupolis - Feres has already damaged homes and led to the evacuation of eight villages” Lenarčič said.

“The EU’s rapid response is once again essential and I thank Cyprus and Romania for helping the Greek firefighters who are already operating on the ground”, he added.

Earlier, the Commissioner had announced through social media that the EU is mobilising two firefighting planes based in Cyprus, as well as a Romanian firefighter team via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

In a statement around noon, the European Commission announced that given the new wildfires that have broken out in the Alexandroupolis - Feres region of Greece, the EU is sending two aircraft, as well as a total of 56 firefighters and 10 vehicles which were expected to arrive in the country later today.

In addition, a team of ground firefighters pre-deployed by France is already in Greece as part of the EU’s forest fire season preparedness plan.

This aid follows the EU’s response to the previous activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism by Greece last month, when 9 planes, 510 firefighters and 117 vehicles were mobilised. Also, the EU Copernicus satellite mapping helps assess the damage in several areas of the region.

The Commission remains in close contact with the Greek authorities through its Emergency Response Coordination Centre and stands ready to mobilise additional assistance if necessary.