Greek firefighters were fighting this Monday against a violent fire that threatens Dadia National Park, an “exceptional ecosystem” known for its population of vulturesat a time when the country lives a harsh heat wave with temperatures up to 42 degrees in some regions.
More than 300 firefighters, two air tankers and four helicopters were deployed to try to contain the fire in Dadia park, which started on Thursday, while authorities also evacuated some villages in the area.
“It is an uphill battle, a fight to guarantee the survival of this exceptional ecosystem,” said the Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Christos Stylianidis, on Monday after visiting the affected area over the weekend, according to the agency. AFP news.
Since Saturday, Greece is experiencing a heat wave that is expected to last 10 days with temperatures reaching 42 degrees in some areas.
Currently, active fires are registered in the north, east and south of the countryincluded in the tourist island of Lesbos.
El Grande #wildfire in #Dadia Forest National Park, #greece is still ongoing and the situation is out of control for another day (today 24.07.2022 is day 4)…
Δύσκολη η κατάσταση στην #δασική #πυρκαγιά της #Δαδιάς #Έβρου για ακόμα μια μέρα…#φωτια #φωτιες #Δαδιας #Δαδια #Εβρος pic.twitter.com/REDkvVdWeE
— Georgios Papavasileiou (@PapavasileiouWX) July 24, 2022
Dadia National Park, one of the most important protected areas in Europe, it offers an ideal habitat for rare birds and is home to the only breeding population of black vultures in the Balkans.
Its varied habitats are also home to 104 species of butterflies, 13 amphibians, 29 reptiles and some 65 mammals, 24 of which are bats, AFP added.
“After this difficult fight, experts must study how to remedy the problems caused by the fire,” said the minister, stressing the need to reinforce the “resistance of the ecosystem in the future”.
According to scientists, human-induced climate change is amplifying extreme weather conditions such as heat waves, droughts and floods. These phenomena will become more and more frequent and intense.
