This year, Greece will deploy a record number of firefighters as part of its preparations for “worst-case scenarios.”
This was announced on Thursday, April 24, by Minister for Climate Crisis Management Ioannis Kefalogiannis, following a series of devastating wildfires.
According to the World Meteorological Organization, climate change has made global weather patterns more unpredictable and extreme, and 2024 has become the hottest year ever recorded. Kefalogiannis stated that around 18,000 firefighters will be available this year – the highest number in history – along with thousands of volunteers.
“We must not be misled by the fact that this year’s climate conditions seem somewhat milder compared to previous years. The worst scenarios are ahead,” he said.
Kefalogiannis also announced that around 80 drones equipped with thermal imaging will be deployed this year – nearly double the number used last year. This measure is aimed at speeding up the detection of wildfires.
