The defense plan against fires with a reinforced firefighting fleet, surveillance drones and operational readiness throughout the country.
The countdown to the peak of the fire season has already begun, with the state apparatus implementing the operational plan to address the increased risks from wildfires. The Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Evangelos Tournas, outlined the framework of actions for the of the country, referring to the causes of the fires, the strengthening of the Fire Department, new technological surveillance tools, and ongoing prevention efforts. With more than 1,100 fires since the start of the season, hundreds of operational forces on standby, and increased surveillance in high-risk areas, Civil Protection is preparing for the most challenging conditions of the summer, emphasizing rapid response, coordination among agencies , and addressing every possible scenario.
Regarding the operational readiness of the state apparatus in anticipation of the most critical period of the fire season, the causes of of fires, the reinforcement of the Fire Department with personnel and resources, as well as prevention measures, were highlighted by the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Evangelos Tournas, speaking last night on the TV channel “Action24”.
Fires and Human Negligence
Referring to the Keratea case, the minister confirmed that the Arson Crimes Investigation Directorate had solved the case and proceeded to arrest the 43-year-old woman, noting that “the case has been closed” and highlighting the high level of training among the unit’s personnel. At the same time, it announced that arrests in arson cases have now exceeded 111.
Mr. Tournas pointed out that the vast majority of fires continue to be caused by human negligence. As he noted, “85% are due to negligence,” adding that more than 1,100 fires have already broken out since the start of the fire season.
Referring to this summer’s weather conditions, the minister explained that the most significant factors increasing the risk are prolonged heat waves, the increased amount of flammable material created by heavy rainfall in the winter and spring, and the meltemi winds. As he said, “that’s usually when we start,” referring to the second ten-day period of July, a period during which the most challenging conditions for the outbreak and spread of wildfires traditionally occur.
Planning
Mr. Tournas also referred to the new National Fire Risk Assessment Map, which identifies the areas at highest risk, from Thrace and Eastern Macedonia to Euboea, Attica, eastern Central Greece, the eastern Peloponnese, and the islands of the Eastern Aegean, noting that in these areas, special emphasis is placed on both prevention and operational readiness.
He made special mention of the reinforcement of aerial firefighting resources, noting that this year a total of approximately 80 aircraft are in operation, of which 51 are leased and about 30 are domestic. As he emphasized, this is “the largest aviation fleet we have,” which significantly enhances surveillance and the immediate initial response to fires. At the same time, he noted that the first new Canadair aircraft ordered by the country is expected to be delivered in 2028, with deliveries to be completed by 2031.
When asked about the operational challenges of the fire season, he emphasized that planning is always based on the worst-case scenario. “We must prepare for the worst-case scenario,” he noted, pointing out that the mechanism’s effectiveness depends on readiness, timely mobilization, and the proper allocation of resources.
The Contribution of Volunteers
The minister spoke about the contribution of Civil Protection volunteers, emphasizing that more than 5,500 certified volunteers and approximately 240 volunteer organizations are actively involved in operational planning. As he said, “We count them as part of the team,” since they are an integral part of the mechanism for both monitoring and fighting fires. At the same time, he referred to initiatives to support volunteers, such as the provision of full personal protective equipment and the regulation regarding registration fees for their vehicles, while, as he said, efforts are underway to find an appropriate funding mechanism to cover fuel costs during operations.
Regarding the reinforcement of the Fire Department, Mr. Tournas announced that by the end of this week or early next week, a new call for applications will be published to recruit 600 firefighters on seven-year contracts, as part of the strategic plan to strengthen personnel. As he noted, of the 13,000 permanent staff members the Fire Department had when the ministry was established, its staffing levels are being gradually increased, and as part of this plan, 21 Special Forest Operations Units (EMODE) were created, among other measures.
Regarding firefighters’ salaries, he noted that raises have already been granted through the special pay scale, while he reiterated “the government’s commitment to continuing its financial support for them.” “Our intention is to secure the necessary resources, as much as we can, to boost the income of our firefighters,” he stated, while also noting “the additional pay for extra duties during the wildfire season, as well as the special bonus granted at the end of each year.”
He also placed particular emphasis on prevention efforts, noting that more than 765,000 declarations of land clearing have been recorded this year. However, he stressed that the effort does not end with the expiration of the relevant deadline. “Preventive actions by all of us—citizens, municipalities, and the Ministry of Environment and Energy—must continue,” he said, adding that prevention is an ongoing process throughout the year.
The minister also referred to the use of new technologies for the early detection of fires, noting that in Attica alone, 33 drones are in operation, monitoring mountain ranges and vulnerable areas, while ground and aerial patrols are being stepped up based on the daily risk index, with the goal of intervening as quickly as possible within the first few minutes of a fire breaking out.
