Greece battles dozen small wildfires, firefighters complain of shortages

Source:Xinhua Published: 2013-6-23 8:46:04

Greece is battling a dozen small wildfires which broke out across the country on Saturday, authorities reported, as firefighters complain of shortages in personnel and equipment to address the summer's challenges.

Only in Attica prefecture more than 100 firemen, assisted by seven firefighting aircrafts and four firefighting helicopter, have been deployed to extinguish three fronts.

According to the Fire Brigade the blazes have scorched forested areas and approached inhabited zones, but no damages have been reported, and there is no cause for concern, despite the strong winds which are blowing.

Greece suffers each summer from destructive wildfires linked to scorching temperatures and arson in many cases.

As meteorologists forecast one of the hottest summers this year, the firefighters' union has expressed concern about shortages in staff and equipment due to the financial crisis which could affect efficiency against the blazes.

Firefighters claim that they are short of some 4,000 staff and adequate modern water dropping aircrafts.

Meanwhile, Greece's government is under pressure from its international lenders to fully implement the austerity and reform program launched three years ago in exchange for further rescue loans to counter the crisis.

Two months ago Athens ratified a law which foresees the dismissal of about 15,000 public servants by 2015.

The first major step to sack 2,700 employees from the national broadcaster led to a political crisis which ended with the withdrawal of the smaller centre- Left partner from the ruling coalition this week.

Posted in: Europe

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