2007 Greek forest fires

Timeline

June

The first major fire of the summer of 2007 was started on 28 June 2007. It is perceived to have been started by either an exploding electrical pylon or by arsonists. of the core of the national forest in a matter of days. Overall, the mountain of Parnitha suffered a burnt area of 38000 acre,

The magnitude of the devastation was unforeseen. Environmental studies in Greece report that the Athenian microclimate will significantly change to warmer during the summer season, and flooding is now a very probable danger for the northern suburbs of the city. Mount Parnitha was considered the 'lungs' of Athens; following its considerable burning, both the city and local flora and fauna are expected to feel the consequences. Other affected areas included Pelion, Agia and Melivoia, Skourta, Dafni, and Pyli.

July

On 11 July 2007, another wildfire sparked at a garbage dump near Agia Paraskevi, Skiathos, More than 100 fires were reported by 15 July 2007, outside of Athens, Peloponnese, and on the Aegean islands of Andros, Evia, Lesbos, and Samos, as well as Crete and the Ionian island of Kefalonia.

In Peloponnese around 20 July 2007, a fire which started from the mountains over the town of Aigio expanded rapidly towards Diakopto and Akrata, destroyed a large area of forests and cultivated land. In the same fire many villages were totally or partially burned, resulting in the loss of 230 houses and 10 churches; three people lost their lives. A 26-year-old farmer and a 77-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of arson concerning the fires in Aigio and Diakopto. The farmer confessed and is currently held in prison.

August

Fires continued, on 17 August 2007 they started to burn on the outskirts of Athens. The fire started on Mt. Penteli began burning down towards the suburbs. More than sixty fire engines, nineteen planes and helicopters, and hundreds of firefighters as well as locals attempted to hold back the fire. Melisia, Vrilisia, and Penteli city were affected in the blaze that was put out once winds calmed down.

On 24 August 2007, fires broke out in Peloponnese, Attica and Euboea. In Peloponnese, the fire burnt many villages and accounted for 60 deaths. Six people were reported to have been killed in the town of Areopoli. In Zacharo, one of the worst hit areas, more than 30 people were found dead by firefighters while searching burning cars and homes.

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis declared a state of emergency for the whole country and requested help from fellow members of the European Union. Multiple countries responded to the call and sent help. Additionally, 500 Greek soldiers were sent in the affected areas. Another 500 Greek soldiers were called up bringing the total to 1,000 military personnel involved in the fire fighting.

On 25 August 2007, fires broke out on Mount Hymettus and in the suburb of Filothei in Athens. Officials said these fires were the result of arson, as the firefighters found many bottles with gasoline in affected areas. Arson is also suspected for the fires in Peloponnese, as more than 20 fires started at about the same time. Two fires broke out in Keratea and one in Markopoulo Mesogaias in East Attica on 25 August 2007.

The fires at Olympia

Olympia, site of the ancient Olympics and World Heritage Site, was evacuated on 26 August 2007. Fears were expressed for the survival of the ruins of ancient Olympia lying near the raging fire. The fire burnt all the trees on the hilltop above, and an area of brush and open space adjacent to the Olympic Academy. The fire did not damage the archaeological museum nor did it damage the several ancient structures in the area. the sacred Hill of Kronos was totally burnt during the blaze. The hill was left blackened, but will soon be reforested. New Culture Minister Michalis Liapis has stated that 3,200 bushes and saplings will be planted on the Hill of Kronos, to return the area to its previous appearance.

September

The fires continued to burn into early September. On 1 September 2007, firefighters were still suppressing a strong blaze in Peloponnese. Three blazes remained, with the fires destructive path continuing in Arcadia and Mt. Parnon in Laconia. On 5 September the death toll reached 67, and on 21 September reached 68.

International assistance

When the August fires broke out, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis requested help from the members of the European Union and other nations. The following countries offered help, but some offers were refused:

• Austria – Two helicopters, two planes, one transport plane, and 20 firefighters.
• Canada - Four Canadair CL-215 water bombers and two spotter planes from the provinces of Alberta and Manitoba and one Martin Mars bomber along with a Cessna L-19 spotter plane from British Columbia.
• Croatia - Two Canadair CL-415 firefighting aircraft.
• Cyprus – 12 firefighting vehicles, 98 firefighters, 29 civil defense personnel.
• Czech Republic – One helicopter with a five-member crew. (Declined.)
• Denmark – Six firefighting all-terrain vehicles, which are able to scale steep slopes.
• Finland – Three helicopters, 25 firefighters (Declined as the equipment was not suitable - Finland assisted in reconstruction instead.)
• France – Four Canadair CL-415 water bombers, 60 firefighters who specialize in helicopter operations, six firefighting vehicles.
• Germany – Three CH-53 water-carrying helicopters.
• Hungary – Two fire engines, 18 firefighters, one doctor, as well as additional equipment.
• Israel – Three helicopters and 55 firefighters.
• Italy – One Canadair CL-415 water-tanker plane.
• Netherlands – Three Eurocopter AS 532 firefighting helicopters and 27 crew members.
• Norway – One Bell 214 firefighting helicopter.
• Portugal – One Canadair CL-215 water bomber and six personnel.
• Romania – One Mil Mi-17 helicopter with a nine-member crew and one airplane.
• Russia – Five Kamov Ka-27 helicopters, six Mil Mi-26 helicopters, two Mil Mi-8 helicopters, and a Beriev Be-200 water-tanker plane.
• Serbia – Six M-18 Dromader and one Antonov An-2 firefighting planes, 6 firefighting all-terrain vehicles and 55 firefighters. The army was on alert for deployment to assist. City of Novi Sad sent a team of 11 firefighters.
• Slovenia – One water-carrying helicopter.
• Spain – Two Canadair CL-215 water bombers.
• Sweden – One Bell-205 firefighting helicopter.
• Switzerland – Four Eurocopter Super Puma water-carrying helicopters.
• Turkey – One Canadair CL-215 water bomber.

List of affected areas

• Achaea
  • Aigio
  • Diakopto
  • Akrata
  • Leontio
  • Kalavryta
  • Kallithea, Achaea
  • Patras
• Aetolia-Acarnania
  • Astakos
  • Palaiochoraki Nafpaktias
• Aegean Islands
  • Skiathos
  • Lesbos
  • Crete
• Arcadia
  • Anemodouri
  • Leontari
  • Akovos
  • Veligosti
  • Mallota
  • Manthyrea
• Attica
  • Athens
  • Grammatiko
  • Mt. Parnitha
  • Mt. Imittos
  • Mt. Penteli
  • Keratea
  • Lagonissi
• Corinthia
  • Chiliomodi
  • Sofiko
  • Mapsos
• East Attica
  • Kalyvia Thorikou
• Elis
  • Ampelona
  • Ancient Olympia
  • Andritsaina
  • Chelidonio
  • Dafnoula
  • Figaleia
  • Giannitsochori
  • Koliri
  • Oleni
  • Pelopio
  • Pineia
  • Skillounta
  • Zacharo
• Euboea
  • Aliveri
  • Amarynthos
  • Marmari
  • Styra
• Imathia
  • Vermion Mountains
• Laconia
  • Areopoli
  • Skala
  • Krokees
  • Geraki
  • Gerolimenas
  • Oitylo
• Messenia
  • Kalamata
  • Filiatra
  • Meligalas
  • Pylos
  • Aetos, Messenia
    • Christianous
    • Gargalianoi
• Phthiotis
  • Leianokladi

Aftermath

Causes and arson arrests

The former Minister for Public Order, Vyron Polydoras, stated the fires may be a result of terrorist attacks, as many of the fires started simultaneously and in places where an arsonist could not be seen. He also stated that the country is facing an asymmetric threat, a military term used for terrorist attacks.

While some fires are believed to have been caused by environmental factors, others clearly were not. A substantial reward has been offered for anyone providing information which leads to the arrest of an arsonist.

Greek police announced the capture of three arson suspects: A 65-year-old man from Areopolis was charged with arson and murder relating to the fire which killed at least 6 in this area. Also, in northern Kavala, two youths had been detained on suspicion of arson. Greek government press minister Theodoros Roussopoulos confirmed on 27 August that 61 people had been arrested on suspicion of involvement in arson, seven of these being retained in custody.

On 27 August 2007, PASOK leader George Papandreou accused the government of insinuating that his party is involved in the fires and called on Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis to produce any evidence that would support there was such an organized plan. Heavy criticism directed towards the government for its handling of the crisis, with the Greek press forming a chorus in ridiculing the incompetence of the country's officials, was accentuated in September by the reported discovery of steps aimed at giving a green light to property developers in the ravaged region.

Consequences

On 25 August, Super League Greece and the Hellenic Football Federation decided to postpone the opening fixtures scheduled for that weekend due to the fires. Campaigning for the country's forthcoming general election was suspended for a short period of time.

The destruction that was caused by the fires is expected to have a large financial impact to the areas affected by the fires. Originally the estimated amount was about 1.5 billion euros in immediate damages. That amount has now risen to 2 billion euros ($2.9 billion). The cumulative financial impact after taking into consideration the loss of national income due to the destruction of the local agricultural infrastructure and the potentially negative impact on local tourism is estimated around 5 billion euros or more.

The status of Olympia for the 2008 Summer Olympics flame-lighting ceremony is threatening to undermine the whole ceremony. The Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) has warned that the delays in the reforestation process will undermine the whole ceremony. The HOC states, "Unless it drastically improves in the coming period, (Olympia's) present image will constitute global defamation for Greece."

Financial assistance

Due to the unprecedented scale of the destruction many of the country's leading banks, businesses, institutions and local administrations have offered considerable amounts of cash in order to help the people and businesses that suffered financially due to the fires. The government has created a special account in all Greek banks, where financial help in relief of the people affected by the fire from all over the world is accepted. Additionally, financial aid from the EU is expected. Forms of assistance in nature were also offered such as olive plants contributed by a Turkish municipality and businessmen to a collect already organized in Mytilene. The Greek Government plans to spend 645.7 million euros ($946.7 million) to restore and rehabilitate areas burnt by the fires. This amount will be provided by both the European Union and the Greek Government. Opposition parties, in the meantime, accused the government of using the scheme to "buy" the votes of locals in the weeks before the Greek legislative election, 2007.

The Cypriot Government along with J&P ABAX have pledged to rebuild the town of Artemida. They have currently signed an 8.5 million euro contract, which includes the construction of 80 structures of which 48 will be residential. The overall cost of the project is expected to be 14.5 million euro.

On 20 February 2008 UEFA president Michel Platini presented the Hellenic Football Federation with a CHF1m cheque to help finance the rebuilding of football facilities damaged by the fires in Greece the previous summer.

The European Union has proposed 89.7 million euros in aid to Greece to offset part of the cost of the 2007 forest fires. The grant will be used to reimburse the costs of rescue services, provision of temporary housing, cleaning up of disaster-stricken areas, and the restoration of basic infrastructures to working condition.

Reforestation

The Greek Government has urged regional authorities to start replanting large areas burnt by the summer forest fires. The government under Kostas Karamanlis has pledged that all burnt forests will be restored and protected from legal development. Full Replanting is expected to start after a reforestation study by forestry experts that is to be completed by December. Plans included anti-erosion measures and extensive replanting in the hardest hit prefectures of Arcadia, Achaea, Elis, Corinthia, Laconia, Messenia, and Euboea. The Hill of Kronos which was totally burnt by the fires will be replanted with bushes and saplings. These bushes and saplings will include laurel bushes, oaks, olive trees, and other indigenous species.

References

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