Greece has battled more than 400 wildfires over the past 10 days as powerful winds, extreme turbulence and high temperatures hampered firefighting operations across the country, Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Evangelos Tournas said.
“We have had a difficult 10 days, during which strong winds and extremely adverse conditions prevailed, and we faced more than 400 fires,” Tournas told Greece’s Skai television.
Major fires have struck the island of Paros, southern Crete and the central Greek region of Boeotia in successive outbreaks since July 28.
Tournas said deteriorating weather conditions had further complicated efforts to contain the flames, with powerful winds and turbulence preventing firefighting aircraft from operating effectively.
During the fires south of Rethymno in Crete, aerial units took off several times but were unable to release water because of dangerous flying conditions, he said.
Similar conditions affected operations during a major fire in Attica and Boeotia.
“Fifty-one aircraft were ordered to intervene from that moment until noon the following day,” Tournas said. “Despite this, they could not carry out a single drop. They were unable to collect or release water.”
Extreme turbulence grounds aircraft
The minister said Greece was facing a different type of wildfire threat this year, driven by exceptionally strong northeasterly winds.
As the winds crossed mountain ranges, they produced powerful downward air currents and severe turbulence, making aerial firefighting operations unsafe.
Tournas said negligence was responsible for about 90% of wildfires, while deliberate arson accounted for the remaining 10%.
Authorities investigating wildfire-related offences have issued 680 fines and arrested more than 274 people so far, he added.
Greece faces dangerous combination
Tournas warned that three particularly dangerous conditions were occurring simultaneously: very strong winds, temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius in western Greece and 38-39 degrees in the east, and large quantities of dry, combustible vegetation.
He urged residents and visitors to exercise greater vigilance and avoid any activity that could ignite new fires.
Greek authorities remain on heightened alert as firefighters continue working to contain active fronts and prevent further outbreaks.