The AA correspondent compiled the balance sheet of the fires in Greece in recent years in the light of available data and the special statements made to AA by Greek forest engineer Nikolaos Pilis.
Greece fought dozens of forest fires in the summer of 2026, where extreme heat, drought and strong winds were affected by the climate crisis.
According to European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) data, over 300 thousand decares of forest will be burned to ashes in Greece in 2026.
Forest areas in and around Athens
According to EFFIS data, more than 480 thousand decares of land have burned in the Attica Region, which covers Athens and its surroundings, since 2018.
During this period, 42 percent of the forests in the Attica Region disappeared.
Approximately 110 thousand decares of land next to Athens were burned to ashes in the disaster, which started in Viotia on July 31, affected many coastal towns and villages such as Porto Germeno, Psatha, Alepohori, and was also described by experts as a "Mega fire".
Pilis, an expert working in the Megara Region where the fire occurred, emphasized that the consequences of the fire are not just about burning trees, but that the burning of a very large area and the destruction of natural vegetation will also have negative effects on the ecosystem, fauna, local microclimate and human health.
Effects on vegetation, animals and human health
Pilis pointed out the destruction of the Aleppo pine forest cover in this region and noted that it may not be possible for the burned area to completely become a pine forest again during the process of the forest renewing itself.
Stating that if there is no fire again in the near future, a new vegetation mosaic consisting of young Aleppo pines, green broad-leaved tree communities, springs, shrubs, and herbaceous plants may form in the region, Pilis said, "I think the biggest environmental problem is not how many acres of land are burned, but whether the burned area will have time to renew itself before the next fire breaks out. If it can be protected from possible new fires for 10-15 years, most regions can form forest cover again." he said.
Pilis pointed out that along with the trees and vegetation, the needs of animals such as food, shelter, egg-laying areas and water resources were destroyed. He reminded that while large animals could escape from the fire and take shelter in unburned neighboring areas, many animals such as small mammals, reptiles and turtles died because they did not have the opportunity to escape.
Stating that the effect of forest fires on human health is not limited to respiratory and cardiovascular system problems caused by smoke during fires, Pilis emphasized that in the long run, bare soil can increase the amount of dust flying in the air, especially during drought and strong wind periods.
Impact on climate
Pilis stated that large-scale forest fires will also change the local microclimate and the change will be "fewer trees, less shade, less evaporation, hotter ground, higher temperatures near the surface." He explained it in a cycle.
The Greek expert stated that increasing temperature and decreasing humidity create a more favorable environment for new fires and warned that this could turn into a vicious circle.
Water resources and the possibility of flooding
Pilis pointed out that one of the most important negative consequences of fires is on water resources; He stated that although trees, bushes and leaves on the ground retain water, the bare ground after a fire may cause results such as surface flow, erosion, ash and sediment transportation.
Pilis, therefore, stated that problems such as slope erosion, floods, floods and deterioration of the quality of water resources may occur with the first rains in the region and emphasized that precautions should be taken against this.
The importance of precautions before fire
Pilis pointed out the importance of taking precautions in the fight against fire before the fire starts, and in this context, he recommended taking precautions such as clearing the elements that may trigger the fire such as dry grass, dense bushes, pine needles and dry branches in the selected areas, opening a path for fire brigades to prevent the expansion of the area when a fire breaks out, creating areas with weak vegetation, and taking measures such as the use of cameras, sensors, satellite tracking, unmanned aerial vehicles and artificial intelligence for faster intervention to possible fires.
Stating that the precautions to be taken before the fire are much more important than the fight after the fire breaks out, Pilis said, "We should not only invest in fire trucks, but also transform the forests of the Attica Region from abandoned forests into actively managed resilient ecosystems." he said.
Climate crisis and human factor
Experts in Greece drew attention to the climate crisis in their statements and warnings throughout the summer and noted that factors such as temperature increase, lack of precipitation and low humidity caused by the climate crisis, combined with strong winds, fueled forest fires.
On the other hand, human influence also emerged as an important factor in fires. Since the beginning of the summer, many people have been detained on charges of "knowingly or negligently causing a fire" and an investigation has been launched against them.
Sparks from wind turbines and electrical connections were cited as the causes of the fires.
It was decided to examine whether wind power plants across the country have the necessary permits and whether they comply with the technical conditions regarding installation, maintenance and operation.
Electricity poles and other electrical connections passing through forest areas came under the scrutiny of experts and officials.
casualties
Forest fires that broke out in many places such as Crete Island, the Peloponnese Peninsula, Viotia, and the Attica Region, including the capital Athens, also caused loss of life.
In July, 2 firefighters died in the line of duty in a forest fire on the Crete Island, and 1 firefighter died in the Peloponnese Peninsula. In the same month, 3 people died in a fire in the Oraiokastro region near Thessaloniki, Greece.
In the fire that started on July 31 in the Viotia Region and lasted for about a week and reached the Megara district of the Attica Region, two of the crew members lost their lives as a result of the collision in the air between two helicopters participating in the extinguishing efforts.
Two people died in the forest fire that broke out on Salamina Island on August 16.
