After the fire, Athens faces the effects of deforestation

Near Athens, two weeks after Greece’s worst wildfires this summer, the smell of smoke lingered as experts warned pollution and flooding now threatened the capital. A third of this Mediterranean country’s 10 million people live in the Attica region around Athens, and part of it (about 10,000 hectares) was destroyed by flames in mid-August. It took three days for hundreds of firefighters to mobilize to control the blaze, which started about 40 kilometers northeast of Athens and reached Mount Penteli and the outskirts of the capital, prompting thousands of evacuations.

The government reported that the number of annual fires continues to rise across the country, with a 50% increase in fire prevalence since May compared to the same period in 2023. According to the National Observatory of Athens, 37% of the forest around the capital has been destroyed by flames in the last eight years. But they set up “Green Lung” Dense population and excessive concrete capital.

“Attica has lost most of its forests and residents are now in immediate danger in terms of polluted environment and flood risk” Because of soil erosion, laments Alexandros Dimitrakopoulos, professor of forest fire science at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. “While 100 years ago, pine forests were vigorous, today the forest vegetation consists of stunted pines (…) and shrubs”he told AFP.

Deforestation, creation of green gardens and fire prevention…

In the coming winter, there is a real danger. “I think we will face problems like flash floods and soil erosion”Underlines Theodore Gianaros, a meteorologist at the National Observatory of Athens. Dimitrakopoulos says that the disappearance of part of the forest increases the summer thermometer, which is already looking red. Greece, accustomed to heat waves, has not seen any in June and July this year. “Attica cannot afford to lose more forests (…) we must find a solution”warns fire ecologist Dimitris Kazanis. “So many cement, so many roads, so noisy area needs forests”assures this professor from the National University of Athens.

Frequent fires also affect the regenerative capacity of forests. The fire near Athens hit an area covered in Aleppo pine, a species that has evolved to cope with fire but requires at least 15 to 20 years between fires to regenerate naturally. “The affected area has seen numerous fires in the past, some at very close intervals.”Margarita Arioutso, professor of ecology at the University of Athens, explains. “Now (now) the areas that have been repeatedly burnt must restore our intervention”she adds.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced measures such as reforestation, the creation of green gardens and studies on fire prevention, urging action to combat these recurring summer-to-summer fires. Because pine trees burn so quickly because of their naturally flammable resin, some are calling for new types of trees to be planted.

Mixed forest solution

One solution, say experts, is to create more resilient mixed forests and green zones. They point to the encroachment of urban areas on forest land. “Houses grow where trees are burned”Dimitrakopoulos underlines. In the past, “In areas where human pressure in terms of construction is very strong, such as Athens, the burning of forests to create building land is more common.”He recalled.

However, suburban development increases the frequency of fire accidents, most of which are of human origin, arson or negligence. Investigators believe a faulty utility pole may have started the fire in mid-August. “Where there are people, where there is human economy, there is forest fire”Dimitrakopoulos concludes.