Massive Wildfire Scorches Northeastern Greece for 11th Consecutive Day A massive wildfire continues to rage on unabated for the 11th consecutive day in northeastern Greece, despite the tireless efforts of hundreds of firefighters and support from a fleet of water-dropping aircraft. The devastating blaze, which has been blamed for 20 out of the 21 wildfire-related deaths in Greece last week, is the largest wildfire recorded in the European Union since record-keeping began in 2000. The wildfire, which initially spread across vast expanses of land, is now mainly concentrated deep within a forest near the border with Turkey, making it incredibly challenging for firefighters to access the area.

To combat the inferno, six planes and four helicopters are assisting the 475 firefighters on the ground, accompanied by 100 vehicles. Meanwhile, an additional 260 firefighters and one helicopter are tackling flare-ups from another major fire that has been burning for several days in a forest on the southern slopes of Mount Parnitha, on the outskirts of the Greek capital. Authorities are currently investigating the causes of these devastating fires, which have ravaged extensive forestland, destroyed homes, and forced the evacuation of thousands of people.

In response, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis chaired a government meeting in Athens to devise strategies for rehabilitating the burnt forests in the Evros and Parnitha regions. The government has committed to identifying all burned areas for future reforestation projects, implementing measures to counteract potential flooding later in the year, and providing necessary resources to support the surviving wildlife in the affected areas. With firefighting forces stretched to their limits, Greece has urgently requested assistance from other European countries. In response, 12 aircraft and hundreds of firefighters from across the continent, including Germany, Sweden, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, and Spain, have joined the efforts to combat the wildfires. Furthermore, more than 350 firefighters have been deployed to Greece from Romania, France, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Albania, Slovakia, and Serbia.

Janez Lenarcic, the top EU official for crisis management, referred to the current aerial firefighting operation as the bloc's largest, emphasizing the commitment to swift and effective collective action during times of crisis. According to the European Union's Copernicus Emergency Management Service, the Alexandroupolis and Evros wildfire, which started on August 19, has scorched over 81,000 hectares (200,000 acres) of land, making it the largest single blaze recorded in the EU since 2000. Amidst the ongoing efforts to suppress the fires, firefighters across Greece are simultaneously battling 87 wildfires, with 44 new blazes erupting within a 24-hour period. Arson has been suspected in some instances, leading to several arrests.

Greece imposes wildfire prevention regulations between May and October each year, limiting activities such as burning dried vegetation and using outdoor barbecues in an attempt to mitigate fire risks. As of Friday, authorities have arrested 163 individuals on fire-related charges, including 118 for negligence and 24 for deliberate arson. Additionally, the police have made 18 additional arrests, signaling a concerted effort to hold those responsible accountable for their actions during the fire prevention season. The scale and intensity of the wildfires have underscored the urgency for joint collaboration and coordinated action to combat such crises. The international response has demonstrated a firm commitment to helping Greece overcome this environmental catastrophe.