Greece dispatches aircraft to battle wildfires
The fires, reported at various locations across the country, are the result of a dangerous heatwave, with temperatures forecast to reach 42°C this week
Authorities in Greece have been working to tackle heatwave-related wildfires in several parts of the country, with ground-based firefighters and aircraft dispatched to fight the blazes.
One fire, in a forest near Makrichori, Nestos, saw one helicopter and one fixed-wing aircraft dispatched to provide assistance, in part due to the site’s lack of accessibility.
The helicopter appears to be a Bell 214 operated by McDermott Aviation, according to photographs taken at the scene. The company currently has 15 rotorcraft operating in the country to support firefighting efforts. McDermott have been contacted for confirmation.
Fires have also been reported in Echedoro, near Thessaloniki; Petra, in Larisa; Paleochori, Phthiotis; Schisto, near Athens; and Kyriaki, Boeotia.
Temperatures were forecast to reach a peak of 42°C this week, before cooler weather arrives.
France has deployed a number of firefighting aircraft to fight wildfires of its own.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at the Voyageur Group. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.