The 10-member group from the 1st Wildfire Special Operation Unit bristles with tools needed to hold back fires: chainsaws, specialized rakes, weather gauges, computer tablets and earth-scorching drip torches to burn wildfire barriers into the hillside. Greece’s fire season officially starts May 1, but dozens of fires have already been put out over the past month after temperatures began hitting 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) in late March — considerably higher than previous spikes recorded over the past decade. “It’s actually already summer for us,” Kolovos told The Associated Press during a recent training exercise. “The truth is that the fire season has started prematurely and has been extended over the last five years.” AP correspondent Charles de LedesmaS reports Greece is boosting firefighting to cope with the rising heat risk, as their fire season officially begins. This year, Greece is doubling the number of firefighters in specialized units to some 1,300, and adopting tactics from the United States to try and outflank fires with airborne units scrambled to build breaks in the predicted path of the flames. Crew members include forestry experts and firefighters with varied skills, many developed in training with colleagues in France, Spain and the United States. “We can position ourselves in optimal locations that may be difficult to reach by foot and carry out fire suppression using various specialized methods,” Firefighter Dimitris “Jim” Priftis said while assisting trainees in a region near the capital ravaged by wildfires in summer 2023. “Using water is no longer our main weapon against fires, it’s our tools,” he said. “We are taking a more scientific approach toward fires, measuring the humidity, the wind — it’s a more planned method.” Mostly funded by the European Union, Greece has launched a 2.1 billion euro ($2.3 billion) program to overhaul its disaster response capability, ordering new water-dropping aircraft, drones, fire trucks, training facilities, and an artificial intelligence-driven sensor network to detect early signs of smoke and flooding. But the new equipment won’t start arriving until 2025. Greek authorities are doubling down on training and new firefighting methods, with another tough season expected this year. Fires burned an estimated 1,750 square kilometers (675 square miles) last year, including a blaze in northern Greece that was the worst fire ever recorded in the European Union. Windy and mountainous with hard-to-reach islands, Greece faces a daunting annual challenge in defending multiple urban settlements that overlap with wooded areas at wildfire risk. It’s also getting hotter: Last winter was the warmest since modern records began in 1960, according to the National Observatory of Athens, which analyzed European Union satellite data. The six warmest Greek winters on record have occurred in the past decade. That’s against the backdrop of new data revealing that Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent, its temperatures rising at roughly twice the global average. Standing in the main disaster response command center in Athens, Vassilis Kikilias, the minister for climate crisis and civil protection, says authorities expect annual conditions to worsen further. “It will be a very difficult fire season, a very difficult summer,” Kikilias, a towering former pro basketball player, told the AP in an interview. “We had a dry winter and fall temperatures lasting until December. So we’re facing the climate crisis head on.” Throughout the month of April, firefighters stepped up exercises and training, using new facilities like the Fire Dragon, a 1.2 million euro ($1.3 million) trailer used to simulate the inside of a burning building. Fire crews with heavy protective gear and oxygen tanks use it to practice close-quarter techniques and rescues. Close by, Fire Service regulars and trainees crawl through a mesh maze in darkness to practice working in confined spaces. Participants in full kit first workout on treadmill climbers and other gym machines, then crawl through the maze as strobe lights, smoke and loud noises are added to disorient them. “The firefighting maze helps firefighters in a dark environment, in an unfamiliar setting, in the presence of fire, to enter the area, investigate, possibly carry out a rescue and find a way out,” said Fire Lt. Col. Vrasidas Grafakos, a training center commander. “It’s to train them effectively to be ready for building fires, for front-line activity.” Retiree Chrysoula Renieri was among those who lost their homes in the 2023 fires that tore through forests on the island of Rhodes, in northeastern Greece, and areas west of Athens. Renieri visited her gutted house last week. As she walked through the blackened rooms, she described how her family felt helpless as the approaching fire cut off power and the water supply before the flames took over the house. “No one helped us and everything burned. It’s all gone.” She said she hopes the Fire Service’s new equipment and methods might make a difference to others. “I wish that would happen, so many homes could be saved,” she said. “We hope, because summer is coming again and the torment will begin.”  

In particular, according to the forecast of the EMY, on Easter Sunday rains are predicted in the central and southern Aegean, Evia and temporary in the easternmost parts of Thessaly and eastern Sterea.   Detailed weather forecast from EMY FORECAST FOR HOLY THURSDAY 05-02-2024 Unsettled weather with local rains and short-lived storms in western and northern mainland Greece. Winds to the west will be westerly 3 to 5 Beaufort. In the east they will blow from north directions 3 to 5 and in the south locally up to 6 Beaufort, turning degrees to the west with the same intensity. The temperature will not change appreciably. It will reach 22 to 24 degrees on the islands and 25 to 27 degrees Celsius on the mainland. MACEDONIA, THRACE Weather: In Macedonia temporarily increased cloudiness with local rains and mainly in the mountains rains or temporary storms in the midday and afternoon hours. In Thrace, local clouds with a few rains from midday. Winds: Variable 2 to 4 Beaufort. Temperature: From 10 to 25 degrees Celsius, in western Macedonia 2 to 3 degrees lower. IONIAN ISLANDS, EPIROS, WEST STEREA, WEST PELOPONNISOS Weather: Clouds at intervals increased with rains and sporadic storms on the mainland. Rapid improvement in the Ionian Islands and from the afternoon also in the rest of the areas. Winds: West 3 to 5 Beaufort. Temperature: From 13 to 26 degrees Celsius. EASTERN STEREA, EVIA, EASTERN PELOPONNISOS Weather: Cloudy with local rains mainly in central Sterea and eastern Peloponnese and from the afternoon almost clear. Winds: Variable 3 to 4 Beaufort. Temperature: From 13 to 27 degrees Celsius. CYCLADES, CRETE Weather: Temporarily increased clouds with local rains mainly in the Cyclades and soon almost clear. Winds: Northerly 3 to 5 and gradually westerly 4 to 6 Beaufort. Temperature: From 15 to 24 degrees Celsius. EAST AEGEAN ISLANDS - DODECANISE Weather: Almost clear with temporary clouds in the morning in the south. Winds: North northwest 3 to 5 and south 4 to 6 Beaufort. Temperature: From 14 to 24 degrees Celsius. THESSALY Weather: A few clouds temporarily increased mainly in the afternoon - afternoon with local rains of short duration. Winds: Variable 2 to 3 and in the Sporades southeast 3 to 4 Beaufort. Temperature: From 12 to 26 degrees Celsius. ATTICA Weather: Generally sunny with a few temporary clouds in the midday hours. Winds: Variable 2 to 4 Beaufort. Temperature: From 13 to 26 degrees Celsius. THESSALONIKI Weather: A few clouds temporarily increased. Chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms in the midday and afternoon hours. Winds: From south directions 3 to 4 Beaufort. Temperature: From 12 to 24 degrees Celsius FORECAST FOR GOOD FRIDAY 05-03-2024 In the west, the center and the north, clouds are forecast temporarily increased with local rains. Isolated storms will occur in the north and temporary in the west and sporadic in the continental northeast, mainly mountainous. Gradual improvement from the afternoon and from the west in most of the country, while in the evening the effects will be limited to the northeast where they will gradually weaken. In the rest of the country generally clear weather. Visibility in the morning hours in the western continental areas will be locally limited. The winds will blow from western directions, in the north 3 to 5 Beaufort, in the central and south 4 to 6 and gradually in the southern Aegean up to 7 Beaufort. The temperature will drop slightly in the west and north and will reach 21 to 23 degrees in the north, 23 to 25 in the rest of the country and 26 to 27 degrees Celsius in the eastern mainland and locally in Crete. FORECAST FOR HOLY SATURDAY 04-05-2024 Initially in the west, the center and the north and gradually in the rest of the country, clouds are predicted temporarily increased with local rains and mainly in the east isolated storms. In the evening the phenomena in the west and gradually in the north will weaken and from late at night they will stop. The winds will blow west northwest and in the north north northwest, 4 to 6 and in the southern seas locally 7 Beaufort. The temperature will drop slightly, mainly in the east and south. FORECAST FOR EASTER SUNDAY 05-05-2024 In the central and southern Aegean, Evia and temporarily in the easternmost parts of Thessaly and eastern Sterea, clouds are predicted with local rains and isolated storms. The phenomena will quickly weaken from midday and will be limited to Crete, while in the rest of the regions the weather will improve. In the rest of the country, almost clear weather with a few clouds temporarily increased hours in the midday and afternoon in the continental areas, with local rains or showers mainly in the northern highlands. Winds will blow from north directions 4 to 6 and in the Aegean locally up to 7 Beaufort, with gradual weakening in the west and north. The temperature will rise, mainly in the west. FORECAST FOR EASTER MONDAY 06-05-2024 Generally clear weather and only on the mainland in the midday and afternoon hours clouds will develop mainly in the mountains, where there will be local showers and possibly isolated storms. Winds in the west and north will be variable 3 to 4 while in the rest of the country they will blow from north directions 4 to 6 Beaufort. The temperature will rise slightly across the country.

Strong southerly winds carried the dust from the Sahara Desert, giving the atmosphere of the Greek capital a Martian-like filter in the last hours of daylight. The skies are predicted to clear on Wednesday as winds shift and move the dust, with temperatures dipping. On Tuesday, the daily high in parts of the southern island of Crete topped 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit), more than 20 degrees C higher than what was registered in much of northern Greece. The strong southerly winds over the past few days have also fanned unseasonal early wildfires in the country’s south. The fire service said Tuesday evening that a total 25 wildfires broke out across the country in the past 24 hours. Three people were arrested on the Aegean Sea resort island of Paros on suspicion of accidentally starting a scrub blaze on Monday, it added. No significant damage or injuries were reported, and the fire was quickly contained. Another blaze that broke out on Crete near a naval base was brought under control Tuesday. Greece suffers devastating, and often deadly, forest blazes every summer, and last year the country recorded the European Union’s largest wildfire in more than two decades. Persistent drought combined with high spring temperatures has raised fears of a particularly challenging period for firefighters in the coming months.  

According to the prognostic data of meteo.gr/National Observatory of Athens, today, in addition to the greatly increased concentrations of dust that will limit visibility, mud showers are also expected to occur, mainly in the north and west of the country. On Wednesday, the turn of the winds to the west will result in the limitation of dust in the Dodecanese and its progressive removal to the east. With the increased concentration levels of African dust in our country and the phenomenon occurring more and more frequently and longer in duration, the Hellenic Pulmonology Society is analyzing the data in an effort to understand its effect on health, while at the same time advancing recommendations for protection. According to pulmonologists, people with pre-existing respiratory conditions are particularly vulnerable during periods of increased dust levels and this is reflected in increased hospital admissions.

The deal passed by Parliament is to buy seven DHC-515 aircraft from the Canadian Commercial Corp for 361 million euros ($392 million). The aircraft, purchased as part of a revamp of Greece's ageing fleet, will be delivered between 2027 and 2030, according to the agreement. The new aircraft can carry bigger quantities of water to dump on affected areas compared with the country's Canadair fleet, and fly for longer. 2 of the jets will be part of an EU RescEU reserve program, which means that Greece can lend them to other EU countries in emergencies. Summer wildfires have long been common in Greece, but rising temperatures and drought have made them more frequent and bigger and raised questions about the government's ability to stem the damage. Fires last year destroyed tens of thousands of hectares of land in the northeast. The deadliest blaze on record killed 104 people outside Athens in 2018. The purchase of the aircraft is part of a 2.1 billion-euro-scheme, mostly funded by the EU, under which Greece will receive firefighting equipment including drones, fire detectors, fire engines and meteorological stations. ($1 = 0.9217 euros)  

Speaking during an international ocean conference in Athens, Theodoros Skylakakis said scientific studies to determine details such as which species will be protected and what measures must be taken will be completed and implemented by year’s end. “Real protection needs to be backed by real science,” Skylakakis said. The creation of the park in the Aegean has irked Greece’s neighbor and regional rival Turkey, which has accused Athens of exploiting environmental issues to push a geopolitical agenda. Greece’s foreign ministry retorted that Ankara was “politicizing a clearly environmental issue.” The NATO allies have been at odds for decades over a variety of issues, including territorial claims in the Aegean. Omer Celik, spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ’s ruling party, said on Wednesday that Turkey would “not allow” the creation of marine parks in the Aegean and called on Greece to abandon plans that would “harm” efforts to improve ties. Relations have been improving over the past year following a period of heightened tensions that saw the countries’ warships face off in the eastern Mediterranean. “We consider this a step that sabotages the normalization process and that this unilateral approach is an exploitation of environmental sensitivities,” Celik said. “We would like to remind Greece once again that it should not deviate from the path of diplomacy, that no steps that would harm normalization should be taken and that Turkey will in no way allow actions toward the declaration of marine parks in the Aegean Sea,” he said. The park in the Aegean will have a series of rocky islets at its core and aims to protect seabirds, covering more than 8,000 square kilometers (3,088 square miles) or just over 6.6% of Greece’s territorial waters. The park in the Ionian Sea in western Greece will focus on the protection of marine mammals and extend over 14,000 square kilometers (over 5,400 square miles) from north of the island of Kefallonia to Antikythira in the south, covering 11% of Greek territorial waters. A new system to monitor the parks that will include the use of drones, satellites and artificial intelligence will be ready by 2026, Skylakakis said, with monitoring by traditional methods until then. The parks’ creation was part of Greece’s pledges during the Our Ocean Conference. Other measures include a ban on bottom trawling in national marine parks by 2026 and in all marine protected areas by 2030, reducing plastic pollution and mapping marine habitats of protected areas. Nearly 120 countries and 20 international and regional organizations attended the two-day conference, raising $11.3 billion in more than 460 commitments for marine-related environmental protection, organizers said.  

As he says in his post, the "polar storm" will also bring snow to the mountains and heavy rains. In detail, the post of the meteorologist is as follows: "Good morning! "The polar jet stream is displacing dust and dropping temperatures by 10 degrees! Also bringing snow to the mountains and heavy rain Friday-Saturday." Today is the last day with dust, with the mud rains keeping us busy until the evening mainly in the western and northern country. Thursday 18/4 is a transitional day. Local rainfall will occur in the west, north and east of the island country and the temperature will drop 4 to 5 degrees. However, on Friday and Saturday the "atmospheric river" (aerohemarros) - image - located high in the atmosphere will descend to more southern latitudes and will change the weather in the country with rain, storms, further drop in temperature and even snow!" Specifically: On Friday 19/4, large amounts of rain are expected in western and northern Greece, some snow at high altitudes (1400 m) and a drop in temperature. On Saturday 20/4 the most rains (locally heavy) will occur in the morning hours in Thessaly, the Sporades, Macedonia, Thrace, the eastern Aegean and the Dodecanese. Strong north winds will also blow. On Sunday 21/4 a second disturbance will create milder phenomena in central and northern Greece.  

Greece, which includes thousands of islands and which has the longest Mediterranean coastline of any littoral state, said last week it plans to create two marine parks, one in the Ionian Sea and one in the Aegean Sea, as part of the initiatives. "Quietly but methodically, Greece is playing a leading role in the defence against dramatic climate changes, which are proven to affect every region and every activity," Mitsotakis said in an article published in Kathimerini newspaper. Greece plans to present its national strategy on marine biodiversity protection at the "Our Ocean" conference, which Athens will host this year and which will be attended by about 120 countries. More than 400 new commitments amounting to $10 billion will be announced during the conference, said a government official, speaking on condition of anonymity. The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service said last month that ocean temperatures hit a record high in February, in a dataset that goes back to 1979. Overfishing and plastic pollution are also major threats to oceans. Plastics entering the world's oceans could nearly triple by 2040 if no further action is taken, research has shown. It counts 600 types of native corals in 2000 species of fish. Greece wants to reduce plastic litter in the water by 50% and microplastics by 30% by 2030, the government official said. The Greek marine parks, whose boundaries will be defined after scientific research by early 2025, will cover 32% of Greece's waters, Mitsotakis said. Greece has legislated the expansion of marine protected areas to 30% of its territorial waters by 2030. The plan for a marine park in the Aegean Sea has irritated neighbouring Turkey, which said last week that it was not willing to accept a possible "fait accompli on geographical features whose status is disputed". In response, Greece accused Turkey of "politicising a purely environmental issue". NATO allies Greece and Turkey have long been at odds over a range of issues including maritime boundaries and claims over their continental shelves in the Mediterranean. Mitsotakis said other initiatives underway include campaigns to curb plastic pollution, constructing charging stations at 12 ports for electric vessels and setting up a monitoring system for protected marine areas because fishing practices that damage the seabed will be banned. Greece wants to ban bottom trawling in all marine protected areas by 2030, the official said. ($1 = 0.9387 euros)

Greece, signalling its intention to contribute actively to the international challenges of the global climate crisis, is taking initiatives to support the protection of the oceans and hosting the 9th international "Our Oceans Conference" (OOC-9), which will be held in Athens on April 16-17th, 2024, at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, "Our main goal is for this conference to produce tangible results. Not only to discuss environmental protection, but also to proceed with tangible actions and commitments," Hellenic Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis said at a recent press conference. Greece will accompany the hosting of this international organisation with 20 commitments for the protection of Greek seas and the sustainability of economic activities. Commitments will be announced on the day of the conference, and some will be immediate, while some will extend to 2030. The first ones already announced concern the immediate passing of legislation establishing two large national marine parks in the Ionian and the Aegean, which will be among the largest in the Mediterranean.

Expect generally sunny weather throughout the day. Winds in the Aegean will pick up, blowing at speeds of 5 to 7 Beaufort, with occasional gusts reaching 8 Beaufort in southern areas. However, anticipate a gradual weakening of the winds as we move into the evening. Temperatures will be on the higher side for this time of year. In the Ionian and mainland regions, temperatures will soar to a warm 30 to 31 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, in the eastern islands, temperatures will hover between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius.

However, anticipate a gradual weakening of the winds as we move into the evening. Temperatures will be on the higher side for this time of year. In the Ionian and mainland regions, temperatures will soar to a warm 30 to 31 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, in the eastern islands, temperatures will hover between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius.

The blaze that broke out earlier in the day, fanned by strong winds, spread across the slopes of the mountainous forest east of the seaside town of Ierapetra. Authorities ordered the precautionary evacuation of the villages of Achlia, Galini, Agia Fotia and Mavros Kolimpos, as the blaze closed in on some homes. "The fire has subsided significantly after the efforts of hundreds of firefighters," a fire service official told Reuters. "It was the first big one near a residential area this year." Scientists fear that the season could be damaging given that Greece has just had its warmest winter on record, leaving much of the land warm and dry. Earlier in the day a fireman and a local resident were taken to hospital with minor injuries. About 150 firefighters were battling the forest fire on the ground, assisted by three helicopters. The civil protection ministry has set authorities on alert due to strong winds expected in next coming days and after dozens of smaller forest fires broke out on Saturday. Wildfires are common in the Mediterranean nation. Last year a wildfire burning in northeastern Greece for 11 days destroyed an area larger than New York City and killed 20 people.