Evros, Greece — A devastating wildfire that has raged for seven days in the Evros region of northeastern Greece has been declared the most extensive blaze ever faced by the European Union (EU), according to statements from EU officials on Thursday.
The fire, which originated north of the coastal city of Alexandroupolis, merged with smaller fires to form an immense conflagration. The resulting blaze has not only destroyed homes but also prompted multiple evacuations of villages and even the city’s hospital.
Tragically, the wildfire has claimed the lives of 18 migrants. Firefighters made a grim discovery in the Dadia forest, a National Park, where the charred remains of these individuals were found. Among the victims were two children, as confirmed by Alexandroupolis coroner Pavlos Pavlidis. He explained, “There were a total of 18 charred bodies, all of them males and two of them little children. They were found in groups of two or three and at a distance of 500 meters, obviously, as they were trying to escape, and some of them had burnt to death inside a sheephold.”
🚨 With more than 73,000 ha burnt, the fires in #Alexandroupolis🇬🇷🔥 are now the largest #wildfires on record the EU has faced.
We must continue strengthening national & collective prevention and preparedness efforts in view of more brutal fire seasons.#ClimateCrisis pic.twitter.com/v6cy68Rnpi
— Janez Lenarčič (@JanezLenarcic) August 24, 2023
With an extensive area of over 282 square miles scorched, the amalgamation of fires “are now the largest wildfires on record the EU has faced,” stated European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic on the platform formerly known as Twitter, now called X.
Lenarcic emphasized the need for continued efforts in bolstering national and collective prevention and preparedness measures, given the increasing severity of fire seasons.
The scale of devastation is further highlighted by data shared by the European Commission’s Copernicus mapping service and the National Observatory of Athens, revealing that 292,587 hectares (722,998 acres) of forest area have been consumed by wildfires in the Evros region. Moreover, the cumulative toll from 16 mega wildfires since 2007 amounts to a staggering 1.7 million hectares (4.2 million acres) of forest area engulfed in flames across the country. The ongoing wildfire in Evros is the largest among these catastrophic events.
The inferno has also exacted a toll on the environment, with substantial portions of the Dadia Forest affected. Concerns abound for the impact on various species of animals and birds residing within the forest, including species like the Black vulture, Egyptian vulture, and Griffon vulture.
The blaze’s stubborn persistence is compounded by its location in challenging terrain. The utilization of Canadair airplanes and Erickson helicopters from the Alexandroupolis airport has been instrumental in battling the flames. Although wind velocities have decreased compared to previous days, the fire is far from extinguished, often reigniting due to persisting gusts.
The mayor of Soufli, a nearby town, Planagiotis Kalakikos, underscored the multifaceted significance of the forest to the local community. He emphasized its role as a livelihood source for numerous professions such as woodworkers, beekeepers, and tourism-related enterprises. He stated, “The fire will be put out, but we must also see to the day after also.”
This catastrophic blaze follows a recent pattern of wildfires wreaking havoc across Greece, devastating central regions and islands alike. The repercussions are not limited to environmental destruction; economic losses and human tragedies underline the urgent need for comprehensive disaster management strategies.
