Lekkas on fires: 'An explosive cocktail' - Why flames grow so large

Extreme wildfires are increasingly becoming the standard rather than the exception, according to Efthymis Lekkas, president of the Hellenic Rescue Team (OASP) and a professor of geology.

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There is an explosive cocktail, which is composed of factors that are all negative. A decisive element in the fire's evolution is that aerial means cannot operate. This removes at least 50% of the capabilities we have to deal with it.

Lekkas describes the current situation as an "explosive cocktail" resulting from the combination of extreme weather conditions and the specific characteristics of the terrain. This dangerous mix significantly complicates the efforts to extinguish large fires. A critical factor is the inability of aerial firefighting units to operate, which removes at least 50% of the available resources for combating the blazes.

According to Lekkas, gale-force winds and the unique conditions that develop within the fire front create an exceptionally hazardous environment. "We cannot intervene in the intensity of the wind, nor in the thermodynamic phenomena that develop within the fire," he stated. These phenomena cause the flames to grow exponentially and generate a distinct microclimate, making it impossible for anyone to approach within a thousand meters due to the immense thermal load.

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We cannot intervene in the intensity of the wind, nor in the thermodynamic phenomena that develop within the fire. These phenomena magnify the flames and create a special microclimate. In many cases, no one can approach even within a thousand meters, because the thermal load is enormous.

Speaking on Sunday morning, Lekkas highlighted that the conditions firefighters face on the ground are far more difficult than they appear on television. "What we see on television might seem easy, but on the ground, the conditions are completely different. The people operating face extreme situations not for one or two hours, but for three or four consecutive days," he said.

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What we see on television may seem easy, but on the ground, the conditions are completely different. The people who are operating are facing extreme situations not for one or two hours, but for three or four consecutive days.

Regarding the large fire that spread from Boeotia to western Attica, Lekkas noted that the fire in Porto Germeno is developing within a specific geological unit, influencing its spread. He explained that the fire is moving within a distinct tectonic block, bordered by major faults in the area, illustrating the interaction between hydrometeorological and geodynamic phenomena. Lekkas also stressed the importance of scientifically grounded interventions in burnt areas, cautioning against immediate tree cutting or log barriers without specialized studies, as nature may reject poorly planned interventions. He emphasized that prevention remains the most vital tool against such large-scale fires.

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The interventions must be extremely careful. We should not proceed immediately with tree cutting, log bundles, or log barriers without a special study. Nature often rejects interventions that we consider correct.