Sofia Kollarou

With over 23 years of experience, she specialises in wildfire prevention and management, overseeing the Forest Protection Coordination Centre and leading the AntiNERO Forest Protection Plan, funded by the EU’s NextGenerationEU. Sofia is also an active member of the Expert Group on Forest Fires (EFFF), contributing to wildfire prevention strategies at both national and international levels. 

How would you describe the severity and extent of the wildfire season in your country this summer compared to previous years? Which regions or areas were most affected by wildfires in your country this summer? 

This year’s wildfire season was quite extensive, with numerous fire incidents. Specifically, from January 1, 2024, to May 1, 2024, there were 3,543 wildfires, compared to 2,907 in the same period last year. Some of the most notable incidents of the season include: 

• June 21 in Achaia (4,336 hectares) 
• July 19 in Orvilos Mountain, Serres area (1,229 hectares) – burned for 32 days 
• August 11 in Penteli, Attica area (10,971 hectares) 
• September 29 in Xylokastro, Corinthus area-Peloponnese (5,830 hectares) 

These incidents demonstrate that the entire Greek territory was highly vulnerable to wildfires, with fires occurring in high altitudes, coastal areas, mountains, peri-urban regions, and urban groves. Despite the numerous incidents from March to October, the total burned area in Greece decreased by about 30% compared to the average of previous years.  

What environmental factors (e.g., weather patterns, climate conditions) contributed to the intensity and spread of the wildfires this summer? 

The summer of 2024 was characterised by prolonged heat waves and extended periods of high temperatures. The average seasonal temperature in Greece was 27°C, making it the warmest summer since 1960. This average was approximately 3°C higher than normal values and 1°C higher than the previously warmest summer of 2012. 

Precipitation levels were significantly below normal across the country, with some areas in the eastern, southern, and even western parts experiencing no rainfall. For example, Attica did not receive any rain for six months. 

To what extent did human activities (e.g., land use changes, agricultural practices, accidental ignitions) play a role in the 2024 wildfires? 

The required data for the 2024 fire season are not yet available. However, it is widely believed that human activities, negligence, and the electricity distribution network passing through forests and forested areas are the main causes of wildfires in Greece. The Crime Suppression Directorate under the Hellenic Fire Corps is responsible for handling cases related to arson crimes and maintaining public safety across the territory. 

For instance, the devastating fire on August 11 in Northeastern Attica appears to have started from a power transmission line, and the fire on September 29 in Xylokastro seems to have originated from beekeeping activities (specifically, the smoking of beehives). 

What are the key wildfire prevention programs currently implemented in Greece? How do these programs address both natural and human-induced wildfire risks? 

In response to the increasing severity of wildfires, particularly the devastating fires of 2021 on Parnitha Mountain and Evia Island, Greece has prioritised bridging the gap between wildfire suppression and prevention funding to enhance resilience amid climate change. The primary prevention initiative is the AntiNERO program, a multimillion-euro project funded by the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility under the National Recovery and Sustainability Plan “Greece 2.0,” launched in 2022. 

Managed by the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, AntiNERO focuses on reducing fuel loads in high-risk areas through forest clearings, maintaining forest roads, establishing fire breaks, and developing forest protection plans. Since its inception, the program has cleared extensive areas of vegetation, opened and maintained fire protection zones, and improved infrastructure such as forest roads and fire lookout towers. 

AntiNERO addresses both natural and human-induced wildfire risks by managing fuel accumulation through vegetation removal, tree cutting, and thinning, especially in peri-urban areas, environmentally sensitive zones, and along road networks. The program also enhances access for fire services, enabling prompt responses and the creation of new fire breaks. 

Additionally, AntiNERO fosters collaboration between public and private sectors, managed by the Hellenic Republic Asset Fund, ensuring effective use of EU funds and project implementation through local forest agencies. The program not only facilitates rapid vegetation management but also provides socio-economic benefits, such as distributing timber and promoting biomass management for wood production and energy generation. 

Can you share any personal experiences that have influenced your perspective on wildfire management? 

The wildfire that has affected me the most was the 2018 fire in Mati, East Attica. It started on July 23 due to human negligence and, driven by strong winds, rapidly descended Mount Penteli, turning a forest fire into an urban fire within hours. The flames reached the sea, leaving behind unimaginable devastation—104 lives lost, with many trapped in homes, cars, or on foot. I remember the smoke covering Athens and the overwhelming sense of helplessness. That tragedy marked me deeply, both as a forester and as a person, and it became the catalyst for significant changes in Greece’s wildfire management. 

This year, the AntiNERO programme, which I help implement, has shown its value. Despite criticism, the programme’s preventive measures—like clearing excess biomass—have stopped fires, saved forests, and helped firefighters limit damage. Seeing its success has been both a relief and a reminder of how complex and challenging wildfire management is. 

My only wish for the future is that no more human lives are lost.