Hundreds of firefighters from across Europe and the Middle East are working alongside Greek colleagues in rugged terrain to contain flareups of the huge wildfires that have ravaged Greece’s forests. Officials said the blazes mostly had stopped spreading.
. Scientists say there is little doubt that climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas is driving extreme events.
Retiree Maria Roga said that although her house in Evia’s village of Pefki was saved at the last moment from flames that burned a neighboring home, she still worries about flareups. Despite the massive destruction to forests, wildlife and livestock — and homes, although official estimates are not yet available — Greek authorities’ core policy of evacuating villages to protect extensive loss of life has paid off: One volunteer firefight died last week after being struck by a falling electricity pole, and two have been hospitalized in serious condition with burns.
Nevertheless, some local officials and residents have criticized the evacuation policy, saying that while it saved lives it sent away able-bodied villagers who could have helped firefighters battle the flames. Others have complained that water-dropping planes and even ground forces were absent at crucial times.
Officials say they used all means available against what Greece’s civil protection chief described as the fire service’s biggest-ever challenge. In eight days, authorities had to deal with 586 fires across the country, while billowing smoke often reduced visibility so much that waterbombing aircraft couldn’t be deployed.
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