Greece faces worsening forest fires as satellite data shows 24,000 acres affected

Satellite data shows major forest fires across Greece affecting nearly 24,700 acres, with Chios and Achaia among the hardest hit.

Greece Faces Worsening Forest Fires as Satellite Data Shows 24,000 Acres Affected

New satellite readings from VIIRS indicate six major fire fronts across Greece have affected about 24,700 acres in the last 48 hours. The regions most impacted include Chios, Moiraiika in Achaia, Filippiada in Preveza, Zakynthos, Paliampela in Preveza, and the Patras area. The figures reflect detected activity rather than the final burned area, and precise burn extents require high-resolution imagery to confirm.

Across two years Greece has faced a growing wildfire risk driven by drought, heatwaves, and shifting seasonal winds. The pattern tests emergency planning and firefighting capacity, and it raises questions about climate resilience and land management. While authorities have boosted funding for prevention and aerial firefighting, the human and ecological costs suggest that quick fixes fall short. The country will need long term strategies that pair prevention with community resilience and sustainable forest restoration.

Highlights

The season continues and policy must keep pace with the risk.