BRUSSELS: A forest inferno in Greece has surged to become “the most extensive wildfire ever recorded in the EU,” prompting the European Commission to rally nearly half of its aerial firefighting fleet to combat the disaster, an official spokesperson stated on Tuesday.
To aid Greece in combating the fires that have engulfed the Dadia National Park, situated north of Alexandroupoli, the EU has dispatched eleven aircraft and one helicopter from its firefighting fleet. Around 407 firefighters are taking part in the battle against the blaze, according to statements by spokesperson Balazs Ujvari.
Flames Engulf Vital Bird Sanctuary in Greece
Despite ongoing efforts, Greece’s fire service revealed that the flames remain uncontained within the reserve—a critical sanctuary for birds of prey—currently spreading across a formidable front stretching nearly 10 kilometers (approximately six miles).
The existing EU fleet, sourced from member countries, comprises 28 aircraft, including 24 water-dropping planes and four helicopters, combatting wildfires in the bloc and neighboring regions. EU-funded aerial unit consisting of 12 aircraft is in development, scheduled to be operational by 2030.
Ujvari acknowledged the escalating severity of wildfires, emphasizing the discernible adverse trends evident in recent years. These trends prompt a call for bolstered capabilities within member states to effectively address such crises.
