Through a long text, Mr. Marinakis states that the danger with the fires is not over, he praises the efforts of all those who contributed to the fight against the fire, but he also gives answers to those who blame the Government and the state for his actions.
As the Government Spokesperson reports this year in Greece “we have 17,500 firefighters, the most ever, while another 700 forest firefighters have been recruited and the number of “forest commanders” has increased from 6 to 16. Based on the latest Eurostat data, Greece is in first place in the European Union in terms of the number of firefighters in proportion to its population and in second place in terms of spending on fire protection” … while also stating that we have 89 aerial vehicles at our disposal compared to 2019 when we had 61.
At the same time, Mr. Marinakis states that “from May 1 until today, the Fire Department has dealt with 3,543 outbreaks of agroforestry fires, while in the exact same period last year it dealt with 2,344 outbreaks of fires, i.e. 50% more in 2024 compared to 2023 in the same period period of time”.
The post of Pavlos Marinakis
The fire that broke out in Attica in the previous 24 hours was a harsh reminder that the fire season is not over. The danger is here and just one spark is enough to create a mega-fire. The firefighters, the forces of the Greek Armed Forces, the Army, the volunteers, the forest rangers, the pilots of the airplanes and helicopters who assisted and are assisting in the extinguishing, deserve our biggest, most sincere thanks.
We all bow our heads before the self-sacrifice and humility of these people who attempted and continue to attempt with heroism at the front of the fire to protect human life, citizens’ property and the natural environment.
The Civil Protection continues to work rapidly with the people of the Local Government and civil society bodies, assisting in the field and relieving those who had to evacuate the areas engulfed by the fire.
Seeing our fellow citizens anxious for their homes, for their people, turning back from their permits, we felt the fury of the fire again.
At the same time, after the tragic news of the loss of a person, I want to express the sincere condolences of everyone to the family of the working woman who lost her life.
Nothing is over yet, the Civil Protection forces continue to operate, until the complete demarcation and extinguishing of all existing outbreaks and, as the risk of fire is still high, we must all faithfully follow the instructions of the Authorities.
The primary objective is the immediate recording of the damages suffered by citizens and businesses and their rapid restoration and support, with all the possibilities provided by state aid. Already, the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has announced the measures of the state aid framework to support the fire-affected areas.
However, I would also like to respond to some accusations that have been heard in the last 24 hours, which are either well-intentioned criticism of citizens who were in pain, or the well-known attempt to use a natural disaster as a tool by the opposition.
1) “Every year the same, in the same project spectators”
No, this leveling logic does not capture reality. Despite the fact that the climatic conditions are aggravated by the absence of rain, drought and prolonged heat waves that favor the occurrence of fires, the Government has made civil protection a first priority with tangible results.
Since May 1st, the Fire Department has dealt with 3,543 agroforestry fire outbreaks, while in the same period last year it faced 2,344 fire outbreaks, i.e. 50% more in 2024 than in 2023 in the same period.
All these fires were successfully dealt with by the same civil protection mechanism that some within a few hours were quick to discredit.
The Barnabas fire occurred on a level 5 extreme danger day, which is found in a few days of each fire season and means that if a fire does occur it is extremely difficult to contain it. It is worth noting that in less than 2 twenty-four hours, 27 simultaneous outbreaks occurred in an area of less than 50 kilometers. Climate conditions have created a reality to which we adapt our action every day.
2) “Where is the state?”
The state apparatus was in the field with all its forces. In addition to the Fire Department, which operated relentlessly on the fronts and the hearths, EL.AS officials proceeded to rescue hundreds of citizens who were in danger in residential areas. Forest services, Municipalities, District and civil protection agencies cooperated with personnel and vehicles, while coordinating volunteers who gave their best to protect property and care for animals.
This year, we have 17,500 firefighters, the most ever, while another 700 forest firefighters have been recruited and the number of “forest commanders” has increased from 6 to 16. Based on the latest data from Eurostat, Greece is in first place in the European Union in terms of number of firefighters in proportion to its population and second in fire protection spending as a percentage of the regular budget. In addition, for the first time so many aerial vehicles are operating as this year we have 89 aerial vehicles at our disposal compared to 2019 when we had 61.
3) “You are tired of the evacuations – “Ring” 112 for the Government”
The most disheartening “criticism” one could make or imply is the one regarding the evacuation of areas in danger.
In fact, unfortunately, many representatives of the opposition use a tool like 112, which has proven how valuable it is to “attack” the Government, or the Prime Minister.
They probably forget that 6 years ago 104 people were burned alive in a residential area. “The suggestion of an organized preventive removal would help the citizens of the coming danger,” said the District Attorney at the trial of the Eye case.
Within 3 months after the 2019 elections, the 112 information system was put into pilot operation, while a little later a permanent mechanism was created which is to date the most important achievement for the protection of human life in the country. The evacuations worked and helped both the safety of the citizens and the work of the authorities in yesterday’s unprecedented fire in Attica.
4) “No aerial vehicles were flying, only 7 were visible on radar”
Before the extinguishing operations of the most dangerous fire of this year’s fire fighting season could be completed, SYRIZA hastened to make another false announcement about the aerial means operating on the front.
Within a short time, the Headquarters of the Fire Brigade issued a statement which responded bluntly to the Official Opposition. As can be seen from the announcement, only yesterday, 36 aerial vehicles were operating to deal with the Fire in Northeast Attica, while on August 11, 29 aerial vehicles were operating.
The most infuriating thing, however, is that SYRIZA was the one who two weeks ago voted against the assistance of the Armed Forces in cases of natural disasters in the Parliament.
5) “Yes, but nothing was done in the field of prevention”
The opposite is true: Huge importance has been given to the field of prevention with specific measures and initiatives. The Antinero program for the protection of forests, with a budget of 321 million euros from the Recovery Fund. The “Aegis” program, 55% of which is implemented by TAIPED and has either already been contracted, or is about to be signed with definitive contractors.
The land clearings, which for the first time were done on such a large scale and it is a given that we will insist on even more. Only in the Municipalities of Northeast Attica we had 83,243 cleared plots, i.e. 10% of the total clearings, which limited the size of the destruction to a point.
At the same time, 25 drones monitor the mountainous areas of Attica, forest and semi-urban areas 24 hours a day, as well as helicopters carrying out laden patrols. This was, after all, the reason why the first aerial vehicle made the first water drop on the Barnabas fire, 5 minutes after it broke out with the infantry arriving within 10 minutes.
This does not mean that fires can be eliminated, even states like the USA, Canada or Australia are affected by megafires. The effort continues with the greatest emphasis on the prevention front, but it is a given that the mechanisms and agencies must – and continue – to be constantly improved.
6) “And what do you do with the arsonists? And if they are arrested, they will go down the drain.”
The government has tightened the Criminal Code with tougher penalties, even for negligent fires. In fact, arson that leads to loss of life is punishable by life imprisonment and forest arson, if it leads to ecological destruction, is now a felony and the penalty is up to 20 years in prison and a 200,000 euro fine.
All sentences related to forest arson are now served in prison and are not suspended or commuted in any way, while the exercise of the legal remedy of appeal does not have a suspensive effect on the offender’s sentence.
Our battle with the fire is not over, while the fire protection season still has enough time to complete. The climatic conditions are getting more difficult year by year and that is why every year we as a State must improve and learn from the one period to the next. “Default judges” and all sorts of finger-pointers, who have learned to oppose without any specific counter-proposal, are deeply damaging to our common endeavour.
We remain committed to our work and always stand by those who work selflessly to protect human lives, property and our natural environment, but, first and foremost, by the citizens who are tested by these extreme phenomena.
#harsh #reminder #firewall
