Greece is battling one of its toughest wildfire seasons in recent memory, with human activity and arson responsible for up to 75% of blazes, said Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Giannis Kefalogiannis.
In a recent television interview, he called for a “cultural shift” among citizens toward fire prevention.
Mr. Kefalogiannis noted that more than 10 million hectares have burned across Europe this year, making it one of the most destructive fire seasons in two decades.
He said that in Greece alone, authorities have arrested more than 320 people for arson this year.
He praised the “heroic” efforts of firefighters who, despite challenging conditions, saved critical areas like the Sounio forest during a recent fire in Keratea.
To combat the threat, Greece has increased its firefighting force by 30% since 2019, with about 18,000 personnel currently active, Mr. Kefalogiannis said.
The government is also investing in new aerial resources, including Canadair aircraft capable of nighttime operations.
The minister stressed that prevention is a strategic priority.
This includes increasing fire protection funding for municipalities to €40 million and, for the first time, fining property owners who fail to clear flammable vegetation.
He also acknowledged the costly but vital long-term project of undergrounding power cables to reduce ignition risk, an effort estimated to cost €35 billion.
