So painful every time I read about another wildfire in Greece, this one so near my hometown. According to the CNN and New York Times, and native Kathimerini.gr, the fires keep raging and the source and cause of the fire is still unknown.
Traditionally, August is the vacation month for Greeks and Athens is empties out, especially during the last two weeks. Once again, on a windy and very dry day, just like in 2007, fires blazes through mountains and houses, leaving people homeless and devastated.
Ecologically, this year’s fires have completely wiped out the greenery in the Dionyssos, Grammatikos and other north east neighorhood that are known for their rich greenery. The impact on the environment for these fires is tremendous, and effect from fires compounds from year to year.
If there’s any PR perspective in all of this, it shows the general unpreparedless and failure to respond quickly and consistently. It’s necessary to spend the time and money to educate people about the horror of wildfires, the impact they have on society, and the cost the environment has not choice but to absorb. Some friends tell me these fires are political. Others think it is the wind that started it.
Regardless, and while titanic efforts are made now by everyone, the same effort should be made to prevent fires altogether.