French firefighters sent near Athens

It’s a disproportionate fight. Ever more virulent fires, in the face of overwhelmed Greek firefighters. Near Athens, hundreds of houses burn down every year. So the Greek authorities are calling on Europe for help. This week, French reinforcements have just arrived. 25 firefighters based in Corsica. In the morning, they have theoretical lessons on the specificities of the forest. France also provides seven vehicles, which contain up to 8,000 liters of water. French firefighters will protect a sensitive site, the Marathon natural park. A site closed to all public for 48 hours as the risks are significant: “The situation in Greece is currently rather intense, with more than 50 fire outbreaks and strong winds, with a forest fire index at four out of five.”

Watch for the slightest smoke and act immediately. This region is all the more sensitive in the eyes of the Greeks since just four years ago, 100 people died near the village of Mati. The deadliest fire of the 21st century in Europe. Tackle fires faster to avoid runaway mega-fires and gradually learn to work together. This cooperation is the new reality for European firefighters, because Greek Canadairs themselves came to help during the recent fires in the Landes.