Written by Ioannis Kapris, Civil Protection, Region of Attica
Between 2017 and 2023, over 1.23 million stremmata (123,000 hectares) of land burned in the Region of Attica due to 12 major wildfires, with more than 600,000 stremmata burned in just two of those fires (2021 and 2023). Alarmingly, 33% of Attica’s forested land has been lost in just seven years (Lagouvardos et al., 2023). These figures highlight the escalating wildfire threat under climate stress.
For the Directorate of Civil Protection of the Region of Attica, these numbers represent more than statistics—they are a call to action. Managing risk in one of Europe’s most densely populated regions is a complex and high-stakes mission. Attica, with a population density exceeding 1,000 inhabitants/km² (Eurostat, 2023), is home to over one-third of Greece’s population according to the 2021 census (ELSTAT, 2023). This demographic reality adds pressure to an already demanding operational landscape, requiring coordination across tightly interwoven residential and forested zones.
This challenges underscore the importance of impact-based, multi-risk early warning and response systems, like the systems that GOBEYOND is developing. Tools that integrate hazard forecasts with exposure and vulnerability data empower local authorities to act faster and smarter, protecting lives, forests, and urban areas alike. In a landscape where multiple hazards—fires, floods, heatwaves—interact, decision-support systems are not just useful; they are essential.
Attica’s civil protection efforts are at the frontline of Europe’s fight against climate-driven disasters. And we’re just getting started.
References:
• Lagouvardos, K., Kotroni, V., Giannaros, T., & Kouros, G. (2023). Εθνικό Αστεροσκοπείο Αθηνών – Μεγάλες δασικές πυρκαγιές Αττικής 2017–2023. Retrieved from https://meteo.gr
• Eurostat. (2023). Urban audit: Metropolitan regions population density. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat
• Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT). (2023). 2021 Population Census – Final Results. Retrieved from https://www.statistics.gr
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