Despite facing more severe climate crisis-driven challenges, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that Greece effectively managed wildfires this summer. With 9,101 fires this year compared to 7,163 the previous year, the burned areas decreased significantly to 108,727 acres from 433,423 acres in 2023.
Mitsotakis praised the efforts of personnel who worked tirelessly to combat the fires, noting the state apparatus remained on high alert for six months. He emphasized that Greece experienced above-average temperatures, extreme drought, and strong winds, leading to the early onset of fire risk levels 4 and 5.
Highlighting a decrease in burned acres per fire to 12 acres from the 20-year average of 15 acres, Mitsotakis also warned that conditions are unlikely to improve. He stressed that wildfires will become more frequent as a result of the climate crisis, with the Mediterranean region facing increasing challenges.
Overall, Mitsotakis applauded the efforts made to combat wildfires and support fire victims, while acknowledging the ongoing need for preparedness in the face of climate-induced challenges.