Word: fires
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...forestry experts say more planes alone won't be enough to prevent major fires in Greece and other fire-prone countries along Europe's Mediterranean rim. Marc Palahi, head of the Mediterranean office of the European Forest Institute (EFI) in Barcelona, says climate change is making fires in the region more frequent and more deadly, but governments won't be able to tackle them effectively if they keep pouring money into firefighting rather than tackling the root causes. "Every year it's the same problem," he says. "We're just crossing our fingers and hoping the weather will be mild...
...that he means managing forests better, improving public education on fire safety and being more careful about planning in places where urban development is expanding into wilderness areas, as on the outskirts of Athens. According to EFI, at least 90% of fires in Europe are caused by human activities - both accidental and intentional. (Read "The Science of Wildfires...
...Environmental groups in Greece complain that in the wake of the 2007 fires, there have been no substantial education initiatives or forestry work. They also blame land developers for setting fires to clear land, especially in the heavily populated areas near Athens. Greece bans building in forest areas but has no official record of which areas are protected, along with a poor record of enforcing the ban in areas devastated by fire...
...back in Grammatikos, few are convinced. On Sunday afternoon, Christos Chrysinas, a local farmer, angrily confronted the police and firefighters who were keeping watch near where the fire began. About 200 of his olive trees were destroyed, and he nearly lost his house. But what angered him the most was the damage to the once beautiful forests and hills. (See pictures of Greece in flames...
...there's never been a fire like this here before," he says. "It's not just about the olive trees or how we're going to make a living. It's about the loss of the forest, the wildlife. We grew up here and we love this place...