2007 Greek forest fires

2007 Greek forest fires

Animation showing fires in southern Greece (22–26 August 2007), from NASA satellite images.
Location Greece:
Peloponnese, Attica and Euboea
Date June 28, 2007[1] - September 3, 2007[2]
Burned area 670,000 acres (2,711 km2)[3][4]
Ignition source heat wave, arson,[5] and wind
Fatalities June: 9[6]

July: 5[7]
August: 67[7]
September: 3[8]
Total: 84
Injuries Exact number unknown - number believed to be in the several dozens of people.

The 2007 Greek forest fires were a series of massive forest fires that broke out in several areas across Greece throughout the summer of 2007. The most destructive and lethal infernos broke out on August 23, expanded rapidly and raged out of control until August 27, until they were put out in early September. The fires mainly affected western and southern Peloponnese as well as southern Euboea. The death toll in August alone stood at 67 people.[8] In total 84 people lost their lives because of the fires, including several fire fighters.[6][7][8]

Some of these firestorms are believed to be the result of arson while others were indeed the result of mere negligence.[5] Hot temperatures, that included three consecutive heat waves of over 40 °C (105 °F),[9] and severe drought rendered the 2007 summer unprecedented in modern Greek history.[6] From the end of June to early September, over 3,000 forest fires were recorded across the nation.[6] Nine more people were killed in blazes in June and July.[6]

A total of 2,700 square kilometers (670,000 acres) of forest, olive groves and farmland were destroyed in the fires, which was the worst fire season on record in the past 50 years.[3][4] Of the total of 2,700 km², 1,500 km² (370,000 acres) were burnt forests in Southern Greece alone.[3] Many buildings were also destroyed in the blaze. The fire destroyed 1,000 houses and 1,100 other buildings, and damaging hundreds more.[10]

Contents

Timeline

June

The first major fire of the summer of 2007 was started on June 28, 2007.[1] It is perceived to have been started by either an exploding electrical pylon or by arsonists.[1] Significant parts of the Parnitha National Park were destroyed,[1] and in total, the fire burnt 15,723 acres (63.6 km2)[11] of the core of the national forest in a matter of days. Overall the mountain of Parnitha suffered a burnt area of 38,000 acres (153.8 km2),[11] making it one of the worst recorded wildfires in Attica since the Penteli fire of July 1995.[12]

The magnitude of the devastation was unforeseen. Environmental studies in Greece report that the Athenian microclimate will significantly change to warmer during the summer season, and flooding is now a very probable danger for the northern suburbs of the city.[1] Mount Parnitha was considered the lungs of Athens;[12] following its considerable burning, both the city and local flora and fauna are expected to feel the consequences.[12] Other affected areas included Pelion,[12] Agia[12] and Melivoia, Skourta, Dafni, and Pyli.

July

On 11 July 2007sparked at a garbage dump near Agia Paraskevi, Skiathos,[13] and spread across the island.[13] Residents and tourists were forced to evacuate to nearby Troulos,[13] and returned after the fire was put out.[13] More than 100 fires were reported by July 15, 2007,[14] in such locations as Keratea[15] outside of Athens, Peloponnese, and on the Aegean islands of Andros,[15] Evia,[15] Lesbos,[14] and Samos, as well as Crete[14] and the Ionian island of Kefalonia.

In Peloponnese around July 20, 2007, a fire which started from the mountains over the town of Aigio expanded rapidly towards Diakopto and Akrata, destroyed a large area of forests and cultivated land. In the same fire many villages were totally or partiallly burned, resulting in the loss of 230 houses and 10 churches; three people lost their lives. A 26-year old farmer and a 77-year old woman were arrested on suspicion of arson concerning the fires in Aigio and Diakopto. The farmer confessed and is currently held in prison.[16]

August

Fires continued, on August 17, 2007 they started to burn on the outskirts of Athens.[17] The fire started from Mt. Penteli and started burning down towards the suburbs.[17] More than sixty fire engines, nineteen planes and helicopters, and hundreds of firefighters as well as locals attempted to hold back the fire.[17] Melisia, Vrilisia, and Penteli city were affected in the blaze that was put out, once winds calmed down.[17]

On August 24, 2007, fires broke out in Peloponnese, Attica and Euboea. In Peloponnese, the fire burnt many villages and accounted for 60 deaths.[18] Six people were reported to have been killed in the town of Areopoli.[18][19] In Zacharo, one of the worst hit areas, at least 30 people were found dead by firefighters while searching burning cars and homes.[18]

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis declared a state of emergency for the whole country and requested help from fellow members of the European Union.[19][20] Multiple countries responded to the call and sent help. Additionally, 500 Greek soldiers were sent in the affected areas.[21] Another 500 Greek soldiers were called up bringing the total to 1,000 military personnel involved in the fire fighting.

On August 25, 2007, fires broke out on Mount Hymettus and in the suburb of Filothei in Athens. Officials said these fires were the result of arson, as the firefighters found many bottles with gasoline in affected areas. Arson is also suspected for the fires in Peloponnese, as more than 20 fires started at about the same time.[18] Two fires broke out in Keratea and one in Markopoulo Mesogaias in East Attica on August 25, 2007.[18][22] The first fire was not under control until the following day, while the second was put out quickly.[22] The Keratea fire had a length of 12 kilometres (7 mi) and a man was hospitalised with second degree burns.The fire at Lagonissi was reported as an accident,when a man accidentally burned a tree of his garden.[22]

Olympia

Olympia, site of the ancient Olympics and World Heritage Site, was evacuated on August 26, 2007.[19] Fears were expressed for the survival of the ruins of ancient Olympia lying near the raging fire.[19] The famous statue of Hermes of Praxiteles and nearby antiquities were spared from the fire, but the yard of the museum where the statue is housed was scorched.[23][24] According to the official statement of former Minister of Culture Georgios Voulgarakis, no serious damage was caused to the antiquities.[25] The fire burnt all the trees on the hilltop above, and an area of brush and open space adjacent to the Olympic Academy.[26] The fire did not damage the archaeological museum nor did it damage the several ancient structures in the area.[26] "The wider archaeological space of Olympia remains intact," stated Mr. Voulgarakis.[26] Despite the Minister's claims, it has been established, as of August 26, that the afflicted damage is of greater importance and scale;[27] the sacred Hill of Kronos was totally burnt during the blaze.[10][24] The hill was left blackened, but will soon be reforested.[10][24] New Culture Minister Michalis Liapis has stated that 3,200 bushes and saplings will be planted on the Hill of Kronos, to return the area to its previous appearance.[24]

September

The fires continued to burn into early September. On September 1, 2007, firefighters were still suppressing a strong blaze in Peloponnese.[28] Three blazes remained, with the fires destructive path continuing in Arcadia and Mt. Parnon in Laconia.[28] Then, on September 3, 2007 a lightning strike started a new fire on Mt. Vermion, which was soon brought under control by firefighters.[2] On September 5 the death toll reached 67,[29] and on September 21 reached 68.[8]

International assistance

When the August fires broke out, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis requested help from the members of the European Union and other nations. The following countries offered help, but some offers were refused:[30]

Wikinews has related news:
  • [//en.wikinews.org/wiki/Finland_offers_helicopters,_personnel_to_assist_Greece_with_forest_fires Finland offers helicopters, personnel to assist Greece with forest fires]
  • [//en.wikinews.org/wiki/Greece_declines_Finland%27s_offer_of_helicopters,_personnel_to_help_fight_forest_fires Greece declines Finland's offer of helicopters, personnel to help fight forest fires]

List of affected areas

Aftermath

Alleged arson

"The reward is set between €100,000 and €1,000,000 ($1.36 million US dollars) for every [act of] arson, depending on whether death or serious injury occurred and the size of the damage."

Vyron Polydoras[47][48]

The former Minister for Public Order, Vyron Polydoras, stated the fires may be a result of terrorist attacks, as many of the fires started simultaneously and in places where an arsonist could not be seen. He also stated that the country is facing an asymmetric threat, a military term used for terrorist attacks.[49]

While some fires are believed to have been caused by environmental factors, others clearly were not.[5] The fires could have been deliberately started as a way to get around Greek law which forbids property development on areas designated as forest land and to pull benefit from Greece's unique position as the only EU country without a full land registry system.[5][46][50] A substantial reward has been offered for anyone providing information which leads to the arrest of an arsonist.[50]

Greek police announced the capture of three arson suspects: A 65-year old man from Areopolis was charged with arson and murder relating to the fire which killed at least 6 in this area.[5][19] Also, in northern Kavala, two youths have been detained on suspicion of arson.[5][19][21] Greek government press minister Theodoros Roussopoulos confirmed on August 27 that 61 people had been arrested on suspicion of involvement in arson, seven of these being retained in custody.

On August 27, 2007, PASOK leader George Papandreou accused the government of insinuating that his party is involved in the fires and called on Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis to produce any evidence that would support there was such an organized plan.[51] Heavy criticism directed towards the government for its handling of the crisis, with the Greek press forming a chorus in ridiculing the incompetence of the country's officials, was accentuated in September by the reported discovery of steps aimed at giving a green light to property developers in the ravaged region.[52]

Consequences

On August 25, Super League Greece and the Hellenic Football Federation decided to postpone the opening fixtures scheduled for that weekend due to the fires.[53] Campaigning for the country's forthcoming general election was suspended for a short period of time.[21] The vote was not postponed since this is not allowed under the current Constitution.[54]

The destruction that was caused by the fires is expected to have a large financial impact to the areas affected by the fires. Originally the estimated amount was about 1.5 billion euro in immediate damages.[55] The amount has now risen to 2 billion euros ($2.9 billion).[56] The cumulative financial impact after taking into consideration the loss of national income due to the destruction of the local agricultural infrastructure and the potentially negative impact on local tourism is estimated around 5 billion euro or more.[57]

The status of Olympia for the 2008 Summer Olympics flame-lighting ceremony is threatening to undermine the whole ceremony.[58] The Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) has warned that the delays in the reforestation process will undermine the whole ceremony.[58] The HOC states, "Unless it drastically improves in the coming period, (Olympia's) present image will constitute global defamation for Greece."[58]

Financial assistance

Due to the unprecedented scale of the destruction many of the country's leading banks, businesses, institutions and local administrations have offered considerable amounts of cash in order to help the people and businesses that suffer financially due to the fires.[59] The government has created a special account in all Greek banks, where financial help in relief of the people affected by the fire from all over the world is accepted.[60] Additionally, financial aid from the EU is expected.[61] Forms of assistance in nature were also offered such as olive plants contributed by a Turkish municipality and businessmen to a collect already organized in Mytilene.[62] The Greek Government plans to spend 645.7 million euros ($946.7 million) to restore and rehabilitate areas burnt by the fires.[45] This amount will be provided by both the European Union and the Greek Government.[45] The government has earmarked 150 million euros ($222 million) to help the people affected by the fire rebuild their homes and other buildings.[10] The rapid nature of the response given in the form of a direct aid scheme free of red tape led to official claims in reverse a year after the calamity, as it has been the case for the residents of Ileia who were notified to return the aid payments.[63] Opposition parties, in the meantime, accused the government of using the scheme to “buy” the votes of locals in the weeks before the Greek legislative election, 2007.[63]

The Cypriot Government along with J&P ABAX have pledged to rebuild the town of Artemida.[64] They have currently signed an 8.5 million euro contract,[64][65] which includes the construction of 80 structures of which 48 will be residential.[64] The overall cost of the project is expected to be 14.5 million euro.[64]

On February 20, 2008 UEFA president Michel Platini presented the Hellenic Football Federation with a CHF1m cheque to help finance the rebuilding of football facilities damaged by the fires in Greece last summer.[66]

The European Union has proposed 89.7 million euros in aid to Greece to offset part of the cost of the 2007 forest fires.[67] The grant will be used to reimburse the costs of rescue services, provision of temporary housing, cleaning up of disaster-stricken areas, and the restoration of basic infrastructures to working condition.[67] Furthermore, the EU created a 600 member team of European firefighters to combat continental forest fires, as a response to the 2007 summer forest fires in Southern Europe.[68]

Reforestation

The Greek Government has urged regional authorities to start replanting large areas burnt by the summer forest fires.[3] The government under Kostas Karamanlis has pledged that all burnt forests will be restored and protected from legal development.[3] Full Replanting is expected to start after a reforestation study by forestry experts that is to be completed by December.[3] Plans included anti-erosion measures and extensive replanting in the hardest hit prefectures of Arcadia, Achaia, Ilia, Corinth, Laconia, Messinia, and Evia.[45] The Hill of Kronos which was totally burnt by the fires will be replanted with bushes and saplings.[24] These bushes and saplings will include laurel bushes, oaks, olive trees, and other indigenous species.[24]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Greek forest fire close to Athens". BBC News (news.bbc.co.uk). 2007-06-29. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6252676.stm. Retrieved 2007-11-22. 
  2. ^ a b "Υπό πλήρη έλεγχο η φωτιά στο Βέρμιο" (in Greek). pliroforiodotis.gr News (www.pliroforiodotis.gr). 2007-09-03. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. http://web.archive.org/web/20070929035711/http://www.pliroforiodotis.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=813&Itemid=1. Retrieved 2007-09-03. 
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Greek government calls for faster action on replanting of burnt forests". Associated Press. International Herald Tribune. 2007-10-23. 
  4. ^ a b "Greek forests severely damaged by summer fires". World Wide Fund for Nature (www.panda.org). 2007-09-27. http://www.panda.org/news_facts/newsroom/index.cfm?uNewsID=114400. Retrieved 2007-10-13. 
  5. ^ a b c d e f Wilson, Sam (2007-08-26). "Inside the mind of the fire starter". BBC News (news.bbc.co.uk). http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6964519.stm. Retrieved 2007-11-21. 
  6. ^ a b c d e Carassava, Anthee (2007-08-25). "Greece declares emergency as forest fires rage". Associated Press. International Herald Tribune. http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/08/26/europe/26greece.php. Retrieved 2007-08-26. 
  7. ^ a b c d e "Greek volunteers replant fire-ravaged forest". Agence France-Presse (Google News). 2008-01-14. http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5ho4R6U6QfmZNZZlFF4a4lWyihAxQ. Retrieved 2008-01-17. 
  8. ^ a b c d "Αλλος ένας νεκρός από τις καταστροφικές πυρκαγιές του Αυγούστου" (in Greek). Athens News Agency (www.in.gr). 2007-09-21. http://www.in.gr/news/article.asp?lngEntityID=833946&lngDtrID=244. Retrieved 2007-09-21. 
  9. ^ "Hints of relief in European heat wave, but more flooding in Britain". Associated Press. International Herald Tribune. 2007-07-25. http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/07/25/news/hot.php. Retrieved 2007-08-26. 
  10. ^ a b c d Polyzoidis, Panos (2007-12-03). "Greek lives scarred by inferno". BBC News (news.bbc.co.uk). http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7121695.stm. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
  11. ^ a b "Συνέντευξη Τύπου Γ. Σουφλιά για την Πάρνηθα" (in Greek) (.doc) (Press release). Hellenic Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning, & Public Works. 2007-07-18. http://www.minenv.gr/download/2007-07-18.sinenteksi.typoy.Parnitha.doc. Retrieved 2008-01-15. "Συνολική καμένη έκταση πυρήνα Εθνικού Δρυμού Πάρνηθας: 15.723 (Σύνολο 38.000)" 
  12. ^ a b c d e Hatzidakis, George (2007-06-29). "Raging forest fires rain ash on Athens". Reuters (uk.reuters.com). http://uk.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUKL2992093420070629. Retrieved 2007-11-22. 
  13. ^ a b c d Ross, John F.L. (2007-07-12). "Fire Scorches Greek Tourist Island". Associated Press. London: Guardian Unlimited. Archived from the original on 2007-07-17. http://web.archive.org/web/20070717020050/http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6775792,00.html. Retrieved 2008-01-28. 
  14. ^ a b c d e f Kitsantonis, Niki (2007-07-16). "As forest fires burn, suffocated Athens is outraged". International Herald Tribune. http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/07/16/news/greece.php. Retrieved 2008-02-03. 
  15. ^ a b c d "Strong winds fan fires across Greece". Associated Press. International Herald Tribune. 2007-07-15. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/15/europe/EU-GEN-Greece-Wildfires.php. Retrieved 2007-08-26. 
  16. ^ "ΑΙΓΙΟ: ΔΡΑΜΑΤΙΚΕΣ ΣΤΙΓΜΕΣ" (in Greek). www.egio.gr. Archived from the original on October 17, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071017041317/http://www.egio.gr/fvties.html. 
  17. ^ a b c d "Forest fire grips Athens suburbs". BBC News (news.bbc.co.uk). 2007-08-17. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6950662.stm. Retrieved 2007-11-21. 
  18. ^ a b c d e "Death toll mounts in Greek fires". BBC News (news.bbc.co.uk). 2007-08-25. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6963373.stm. Retrieved 2007-08-25. 
  19. ^ a b c d e f "Greek fires threaten ancient city.". BBC World TV and online (BBC). 2007-08-26. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6964345.stm. Retrieved 2007-08-26. 
  20. ^ "Fires in Greece spread, multiply". LA Times. Associated Press. 2007-08-26. http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-greece26aug26,1,1261594.story?coll=la-news-a_section. Retrieved 2007-08-26. 
  21. ^ a b c "Fires prompt Greek National Alert". BBC News (news.bbc.co.uk). 2007-08-25. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6963964.stm. Retrieved 2007-08-25. 
  22. ^ a b c "Πύρινος εφιάλτης στην Αττική με πυρκαγιές στα Καλύβια και τον Υμηττό" (in Greek). Athens News Agency (www.in.gr). 2007-08-26. http://www.in.gr/news/article.asp?lngEntityID=826554&lngDtrID=244. Retrieved 2007-11-21. 
  23. ^ Triandafyllou, Vassilis (2007-08-26). "Greek fires kill 56 and lick ancient Olympia". Reuters (Reuters Canada). Archived from the original on October 17, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071017132450/http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2007-08-26T174128Z_01_L25430623_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-GREECE-FIRES-COL.XML. Retrieved 2007-08-26. 
  24. ^ a b c d e f "Greek authorities to start replanting Ancient Olympia's fire-ravaged forests". Associated Press. International Herald Tribune. 2007-10-25. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/25/europe/EU-GEN-Greece-Ancient-Olympia.php. Retrieved 2007-11-21. 
  25. ^ "Fires rage across Greece". Associated Press. International Herald Tribune. 2007-08-25. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/26/europe/EU-GEN-Greece-Fires.php. Retrieved 2007-08-26. 
  26. ^ a b c "Greek Fires Blamed on Arson, Olympic Antiquities Saved". Environment News Service (www.ens-newswire.com). 2007-08-27. http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/aug2007/2007-08-27-01.asp. Retrieved 2007-08-28. 
  27. ^ "Ministry of Culture admits existence of damages in Olympia.". Kathimerini (news.kathimerini.gr). 2007-08-29. http://news.kathimerini.gr/4dcgi/_w_articles_civ_553393_29/08/2007_239167. Retrieved 2007-08-29. 
  28. ^ a b "Europe backs fire-stricken Greece". BBC News (news.bbc.co.uk). 2007-09-01. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6974577.stm. Retrieved 2007-09-04. 
  29. ^ "Αυξήθηκε ο αριθμός των θυμάτων από τις πυρκαγιές" (in Greek). in.gr News (www.in.gr). 2007-09-05. http://www.in.gr/news/article.asp?lngEntityID=829262&lngDtrID=244. Retrieved 2007-09-05. 
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Countries Send Firefighters, Aircraft to Help Greeks". Firehouse.com. Associated Press. 2007-08-27. http://cms.firehouse.com/content/article/article.jsp?id=56129&sectionId=46. Retrieved 2007-08-27. 
  31. ^ "Manitoba offers water bombers to Greece". Winnipeg Free Press. 2007-08-28. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927194213/http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/story/4029758p-4640787c.html. Retrieved 2007-08-28. 
  32. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "EU Sends Help to Fight Raging Fires in Greece". DW-World. www.dw-world.de. 2007-08-26. http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2752324,00.html. Retrieved 2007-08-26. 
  33. ^ "Finland offers helicopters, firemen and experts to fight Greek forest fires". Helsingin Sanomat (www.hs.fi). 2007-08-28. http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Finland+offers+helicopters+firemen+and+experts+to+fight+Greek+forest+fires+/1135229835383. Retrieved 2007-08-29. 
  34. ^ Naughton, Philippe (2007-08-26). "51 dead as Greek forest fires rage on". The Times (London: www.timesonline.co.uk). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2331071.ece. Retrieved 2007-08-26. 
  35. ^ Beck, Jonathan (2007-08-26). "Israel to send Greece 25 firefighters with full equipment". The Jerusalem Post (www.jpost.com). http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1188128148356&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull. Retrieved 2007-08-27. 
  36. ^ "Greece Rejects Macedonia's Help". www.a1.com.mk. 2007-08-27. http://www.a1.com.mk/vesti/default.asp?VestID=83156. Retrieved 2007-08-27. 
  37. ^ "Norwegian helicopter on the way". www.aftenposten.no. 2007-08-27. http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article1958352.ece. Retrieved 2007-08-27. 
  38. ^ a b "Russia plans to send additional help to fight fires in Greece". RIA Novosti (en.rian.ru). 2007-08-27. http://en.rian.ru/world/20070827/74913542.html. Retrieved 2007-08-27. 
  39. ^ "Serbia sends seven planes to Greece". B92 (B92). 2007-08-28. http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2007&mm=08&dd=28&nav_category=90&nav_id=43337. Retrieved 2007-08-28. 
  40. ^ "Serbian Interior Ministry sends firefighting squad to Greece". Government of Serbia (Government of Serbia). 2007-08-31. http://www.srbija.gov.rs/vesti/vest.php?id=37824. Retrieved 2007-09-01. 
  41. ^ "Novosadski vatrogasci gase požare u Grčkoj". Dnevnik (Novi Sad) (Dnevnik (Novi Sad)). 2007-08-31. http://www.dnevnik.rs/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=28349. Retrieved 2007-09-05. 
  42. ^ "Greece declares state of emergency". Canada.com (Agence France-Presse). 2007-08-25. http://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/story.html?id=443352dc-be11-4c1e-9621-a52b09caa70e. Retrieved 2007-08-26. 
  43. ^ "Svensk hjälp på plats i Grekland" (in Swedish). Sydsvenskan. 2007-08-27. http://sydsvenskan.se/varlden/article261717.ece. Retrieved 2007-08-27. 
  44. ^ "Turkey sends fire-fighting plane to Greece". Turkish Press.com. 2007-08-27. http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=191190. Retrieved 2007-08-27. 
  45. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Gov't unveils master plan to restore areas ravaged by summer forest fires". Associated Press. PR-Inside.com. 2007-11-19. http://www.pr-inside.com/gov-t-unveils-master-plan-to-restore-r308136.htm. Retrieved 2007-11-21. 
  46. ^ a b c d e "Fighting Greek fire". The Economist (www.economist.com). 2007-08-29. http://www.economist.com/world/europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9718557. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
  47. ^ Triandafyllou, Vassilis (2007-08-28). "Greece offers big rewards for tracking down arsonists". Reuters, Australian Associated Press (www.smh.com.au). http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/greece-offers-big-rewards-for-tracking-down-arsonists/2007/08/27/1188067034646.html. Retrieved 2007-08-27. 
  48. ^ "Greece offers $1.36 m reward for arsonists". Reuters (www.news.com.au). 2007-08-27. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22313504-23109,00.html. Retrieved 2007-08-27. 
  49. ^ "Ασύμμετρη απειλή" (in Greek). ERT (Pathfinder). 2007-08-26. http://news.pathfinder.gr/greece/politics/423069.html. Retrieved 2007-08-26. 
  50. ^ a b "Greek forest fires reward offered". BBC. 2007-08-27. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6965078.stm. 
  51. ^ "Fires wreak destruction in Greece for a fourth day". www.ekathimerini. 2007-08-28. http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100002_28/08/2007_87183. Retrieved 2007-08-28. 
  52. ^ Elinda Labropoulou (2007-09-19). Article "Outrage in Greece over secret plan to develop land in region ravaged by fires". London: The Independent. http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article2976686.ece Article. Retrieved 2007-11-30. 
  53. ^ "Greek season start postponed". UEFA (www.uefa.com). 2007-08-25. http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=574997.html. Retrieved 2007-08-25. 
  54. ^ "MEPOΣ TPITO – Oργάνωση και λειτουργίες της Πολιτείας" (in Greek). Hellenic Government (Parliament.gr). http://www.vouli.gr/politeuma/syntagmaDetails.asp?ArthroID=43. Retrieved 2007-08-26. 
  55. ^ "Ξεπερνά το 1,5 δισ. ευρώ το κόστος των ζημιών από τις πυρκαγιές" (in Greek). Athens New Agency (www.in.gr). 2007-08-28. http://www.in.gr/news/article.asp?lngEntityID=827071. Retrieved 2007-08-30. 
  56. ^ Papachristou, Harry (2007-10-29). "Greek August Wildfire Damage Seen at EU2 Billion, Minister Says". Bloomberg (www.bloomberg.com). http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=ax1IYpsKfGmQ&refer=europe. Retrieved 2007-11-21. 
  57. ^ "Στα 5 δισ. ευρώ οι ζημιές" (in Greek). Imerisia.gr (www.stockwatch.com.cy). 2007-08-29. http://www.stockwatch.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_name=news_view&ann_id=74961. Retrieved 2007-08-30. 
  58. ^ a b c "Beijing torch ceremony in peril". Associated Press. Sports Illustrated. 2008-01-17. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/more/01/17/beijing.torch.ap/. Retrieved 2008-01-17. 
  59. ^ "Κινητοποίηση οργανισμών, επιχειρήσεων και πολιτών για ενίσχυση των πυροπαθών" (in Greek). Athens News Agency (www.in.gr). 2007-08-28. http://www.in.gr/news/article.asp?lngEntityID=827236&lngDtrID=244. Retrieved 2007-08-29. 
  60. ^ "I Help Greece". Ihelp.gr. 2007-10-31. http://www.ihelp.gr. Retrieved 2009-01-06. 
  61. ^ "Αξιοποίηση του Ταμείου Αλληλεγγύης της ΕΕ για τους πυρόπληκτους υπόσχεται η Ντ.Χούμπνερ" (in Greek). Athens News Agency (www.in.gr). 2007-08-31. http://www.in.gr/news/article.asp?lngEntityID=827959&lngDtrID=244. Retrieved 2007-09-01. 
  62. ^ "Des Turcs de la municipalite Altinoluk offrent 20.000 plants d'oliviers" (in French). Athens News Agency (http://web.ana-mpa.gr).+2007-09-02.+Archived+from the original on September 27, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927215242/http://web.ana-mpa.gr. Retrieved 2007-09-06. 
  63. ^ a b "Thousands to return fire aid". Ekathimerini (www.ekathimerini.com). 2008-10-21. http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100011_21/10/2008_101493. Retrieved 2008-10-21. 
  64. ^ a b c d "J&P ABAΧ to rebuild Artemida on account of Cyprus". Financial Mirror (www.finalcialmirror.com). 2008-01-10. http://www.financialmirror.com/more_news.php?id=9545&type=st&nt=Business. Retrieved 2008-01-17. 
  65. ^ "Greece's J&P Avax signs 8.68 mln eur deal with Cyprus for restoration project". Euro2day.gr/Newswire (Hemscott). 2008-01-15. http://www.hemscott.com/news/latest-news/item.do?newsId=57266947177641. Retrieved 2008-01-17. 
  66. ^ Biskos, Grigorios (2008-02-20). "UEFA helps Greece rebuild after fires". UEFA. Archived from the original on 2008-02-23. http://web.archive.org/web/20080223212731/http://www.uefa.com/uefa/keytopics/kind=64/newsid=661039.html. Retrieved 2008-02-20. 
  67. ^ a b "EU proposes 89.7 mln euros in aid for Greek forest fires". Xinhua News Agency (People's Daily Online). 2008-04-09. http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90856/6389101.html. Retrieved 2008-05-08. 
  68. ^ "European firefighters in joint bid to tackle forest fires". AFP (Google News). 2008-04-16. http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jlBzKURAXe5fJ9LxWDbirnf4fD-g. Retrieved 2008-05-08. 

External links

Wikinews has related news:
  • [//en.wikinews.org/wiki/Greece_on_fire,_death_toll_exceeds_60 Greece on fire, death toll exceeds 60]
  • [//en.wikinews.org/wiki/Stabilized_forest_fires_in_Greece_intensify_again;_2_arrested Stabilized forest fires in Greece intensify again; 2 arrested]
  • [//en.wikinews.org/wiki/Forest_fires_burn_on_in_Greece;_death_toll_nears_50 Forest fires burn on in Greece; death toll nears 50]