Greek firefighters concerned over resource shortages as first major summer wildfires rage

Greek firefighters appeared concerned on Monday over resource shortages due to austerity cuts as they battled the first major summer wildfires.

More than 150 firefighters and five aircraft were deployed some 40 km northwest of Athens on Monday to battle the fire which broke out on Saturday night at Dervenochoria, the fire brigade chief Lieutenant General Ioannis Karatzias announced.

No populated zones have been under threat so far, but the ongoing wildfire was split into two in remote areas and large sections of a pine forest had been scorched, Greek national news agency AMNA reported.

Strong winds blowing in the area on Sunday had receded on Monday, with the hope the blaze would soon be extinguished, the fire service said.

Meanwhile, an investigation was underway for the cause of the fire as well as the reasons why a water bomber, which was participating in the operation, was forced to make an emergency landing on Sunday.

Representatives of firefighters complained that Greece's fire fighting fleet was old and posed risks. In general, available resources were inadequate due to the spending cuts introduced in recent years amidst the debt crisis, they said.

Yannis Stamoulis, the president of the Greek Association of Greek Fire Brigade Officers, expressed "serious concern whether the fire department will be in position to deal with wildfires effectively this summer," while speaking to local media Vima FM on Monday.

In a recent statement, the association warned that several of the fleet's 30 planes and helicopters were more than 40 years old and firefighter uniforms were in short supply.

In a visit to the fire brigade's special operations squadron two weeks ago, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras acknowledged "shortages in resources as the crisis has hit all sectors" and pledged the government would work hard to address them as soon as possible.

Public order minister Nikos Toskas reiterated the promise on Monday when speaking to local media that the fleet would be gradually replaced. He said the government was examining the idea of leasing aircraft and helicopters from neighboring countries.

Greece suffers from scores of destructive wildfires every summer. In many cases, high temperatures and strong winds play a part, while arson is also a factor.

In 2007, in the worst wildfires tragedy in recent decades, over 80 people died as dozens of major wildfires raged across Greece.
Source:XINHUA