A dozen countries have extended firefighting support to Greece which is still struggling to put out wildfires across the country in one of the worst summers in its modern history.
Following fires in Greece, Italy, Albania, Morocco, North Macedonia, Turkey and Lebanon, the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation (MTF) is calling on authorities to extend support with concrete action.
Greece declared a state of emergency on Thursday until August 9 as dozens of fires continued to burn in the wider Athens area, on Evia island, in Central and Northern Greece and in the Peloponnese.
As temperatures continue to soar in Greece, firefighters are battling forest fires in various parts of the country, including near Ancient Olympia and its temples.
Dozens of forests fires have broken out across Greece in conditions of extreme heat with the largest at the northwest Athens suburb of Varibobi and Evia island.
A spatial plan for the redevelopment of the wider area of Mati, Nea Makri and Rafina, which was ravaged by deadly fires in July 2018, is up for public consultation.
Greek civil protection authorities are gearing up with more staff, new planes and improved infrastructure to address the potential outbreak of wildfires.
European countries will be faced with stronger faster-spreading fires due to heatwaves and droughts which are a direct result of climate change, says the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
As the weather gets hotter and the winds stronger, Greece's civil protection authorities are urging residents and travelers to take preventative measures, be alert and ready to act in order to avoid fires.
A new spatial plan that includes defining segments of the fire-ravaged areas of Mati and Rafina, on the eastern coast of Attica, has been approved by the Greek Environment Ministry.
The Greek Εnvironment Μinistry has temporarily given the green light for a spatial plan to be implemented in the fire-stricken areas of Rafina and Nea Makri.
More than 25,000 professional and amateur athletes are expected to participate in the Athens Half Marathon 2019, scheduled to be held on March 17 in the Greek capital.
More than 186 firefighters with 62 firefighting vehicles, air craft and helicopters were stationed on the island of Evia to bring under control two wildfires that broke out on Sunday, August 12.
