Greece, record number of firefighters this year - Government takes measures to cope with natural disasters
Greece will prepare a record number of firefighters this year in anticipation of "worst-case scenarios" to come, the climate crisis ministry announced, after a series of devastating fires in recent years.
Weather across the globe has become more erratic due to the impact of climate change, and 2024 was the hottest year ever recorded, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
In Greece, summers have become increasingly hot and dry, with rapidly changing winds, fueling more destructive fires that are difficult to control. Last August, during the hottest summer ever recorded in Greece, one woman died and 10,000 hectares of land were burned in a fire that spread from a forest to the northern outskirts of Athens.
About 18,000 firefighters will be on hand this year, the highest number ever recorded. They will also be assisted by thousands of volunteers.
"We should not be fooled by the fact that the climatic conditions this year seem a little milder than in previous years. "Bad scenarios await us," official sources announced.
Changing tactics for containing wildfires, Greece decided last year to start sending air and ground forces in the first critical hours after a fire breaks out and also to increase patrols, measures that have helped contain damage to forests and pastures as well as property.
The Mediterranean country has also allocated around 2 billion euros to buy new aircraft, meteorological stations and drones to improve capabilities against fires and other natural disasters.
About 80 drones with thermal cameras, almost double the number last year, will be available this year, the ministry announced, a move aimed at speeding up the detection of fires.
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