The intense wildfires that ravaged southern Europe this summer were expected. Scientists have warned that climate change is making these fires more common and severe. A report from World Weather Attribution in September 2025 stated that conditions favoring wildfires are now 40 times more likely and 30% more intense than they would have been without climate change. What used to be a rare event is now becoming a frequent threat, occurring about once every 15 years.
But it’s not just climate change that’s worsening the situation. Poor policy choices have left countries like Greece unprepared. For years, the focus has shifted from prevention and forest management to reactive firefighting, leading to a system that waits for disaster rather than prepares for it. This has allowed fires to grow larger, burn hotter, and has made recovery more difficult.
A stark example of this policy failure can be seen in Mati, a town near Athens. In 2018, a fire claimed 102 lives and burned over 1,400 hectares of land. Seven years later, the landscape still shows scars, with the area meant to memorialize the victims becoming a dried-out patch with struggling saplings. Some efforts to restore the land, driven by nonprofits like We4All, have planted over 25,000 trees, yet many of these efforts have not thrived. The evidence on the ground is disappointing, with sparse regrowth compared to what was expected.
The roots of today’s crisis go back to 1998, when Greece shifted responsibility for wildfire management from the forestry sector to fire services. This move removed critical resources and expertise from forest management, leading to a significant decline in forest efficiency. Gavriil Xanthopoulos, a researcher at the Hellenic Agricultural Organisation, points out that Greece once had a capable forest guard service, but it has deteriorated over the last two decades.
Government documents reveal a staggering situation: as of 2024, Greece had not hired a new forest service employee in 23 years. Many forestry offices are understaffed, often having just one scientist responsible for immense tracts of land—about 54 football fields each. This lack of manpower hinders effective management and innovation in forest care.
In stark contrast, Greece employs about 18,000 firefighters, a ratio of 20 firefighters for every forest guard. In 2023, the government promised to hire 500 additional firefighters, but similar commitments for forest management staff have not been made. This reflects a troubling imbalance, where wildfire response receives massive funding while prevention remains underfunded. Reports indicate that only one-fifth of the firefighting budget is allocated to forest services.
As of now, the focus seems to be shifting slightly. The Greek government recently initiated a National Reforestation Plan, backed by EU funds, that aims to address damaged ecosystems. However, critics worry about outsourcing these vital projects to contractors lacking forestry expertise. Key initiatives are being handed over to companies whose primary work lies outside the forest sector, raising concerns about the quality and effectiveness of reforestation efforts.
Recent wildfires in August 2025 burned over 10,000 hectares in just two days, underscoring the urgent need for a balanced approach. Each fire increases the likelihood of future ones. Areas like Mount Penteli, which have burned repeatedly, showcase a cycle where ecosystems struggle to recover before they are scorched again.
For communities like Mati, mere memorials and promises aren’t enough. They need resilient ecosystems able to withstand the challenges ahead. The crucial question remains: will Greece shift its focus to balance prevention, restoration, and firefighting, or continue facing the devastating consequences of lost land?
