New measures to support fire victims are expected to be announced by the government on Monday, emphasized Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Kostas Katsafados, speaking on ERTNews about coordinating actions against devastating wildfires and the consequences of climate change. The deputy minister of civil protection outlined the government’s planning regarding the catastrophic wildfires that continue their destructive work in our country, the impacts of the climate crisis, and a government delegation’s visit to Patras.
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Katsafados on wildfires: New measures for fire victims Monday
As Deputy Minister Kostas Katsafados characteristically stated, “On Monday, a government delegation will travel (to Achaia), consisting of myself, the Interior Minister, Mr. Livanios, the president of ELGA, the secretary-general of the Environment Ministry, where we will speak with mayors and the Region, in order to plan and create a scheme that will lead Achaia, after this very large and dangerous wildfire, which we are still fighting today, to the next day.”
Speaking about the planned measures, he mentioned exemption from property tax (ENFIA) for the next three years for every house that has suffered damage or destruction classified as yellow or red, through inspection by the General Secretariat for Natural Disaster Recovery, noting that a series of measures will be announced next Monday.
We are experiencing the climate crisis with tragic events
Asked to comment on the scope and destructive fury of the wildfires, Mr. Katsafados replied that “we’re not talking about 7 or 8 Beaufort winds, but winds of 9 and 10 Beaufort.” Referring to climate change, he said: “The climate crisis, not climate change, is here and we are experiencing it with tragic events.” He also mentioned the destructive fires in Europe and the Balkans. “We are here to do our best and first and foremost to protect human lives, then properties and of course the natural environment,” Mr. Katsafados noted. Regarding criticism about negligence in firefighting, he stated: “Obviously there is always room for improvement. The climate crisis is a dynamic phenomenon that we are called to follow with new technologies and with the country’s scientific personnel.”
Over 120 wildfires were recorded across the country in just the previous day
The Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis also expressed his warm congratulations “not only to Fire Service personnel who for the first time exceed 18,000,” a number he characterized as “a record for the Fire Service.” He made special mention of volunteers, who he said “made every possible effort,” as well as Armed Forces personnel, Security Corps and local authorities who, as he noted, contributed to not mourning human lives and protecting properties and the natural environment. “It is a difficult struggle and an unequal battle and obviously we owe it and must give our best selves,” Mr. Katsafados told the journalist of the “Newsroom” program, while speaking about help from the European support mechanism, he said that “obviously we cannot respond alone as over 120 wildfires were recorded across the country in just the previous day.”
“Everyone must participate in this battle”
Speaking about Patras where the fire entered the industrial zone and neighborhoods, he stated: “In Achaia we had four fires yesterday in the same area and in Preveza six different wildfires. A country’s resources and forces are not endless.” That’s why, as he said, we requested activation of the European Support Mechanism. The deputy minister concluded by focusing on prevention issues: “Let me remind you of the institution of cleaning uncleaned plots that started last year and continues with great success.
Everyone must participate in this battle, because when we talk about the natural environment, we talk about our very life and our property.” Concluding, Mr. Katsafados noted: “We must understand that Civil Protection guidelines are not just guidelines, but orders that save lives and property.” And as he emphasized, last year alone, more than 2,000 fires were caused by human error.
