Underground Fires Can Burn for Months, Threatening Western Attica

The ongoing wildfires in Western Attica present a dangerous challenge, with experts warning that fires can smolder underground for extended periods, potentially reigniting days or even months later. Professor Efthymis Lekkas, president of the Organization for the Management of Natural Disasters and president of the Hellenic Association of Civil Engineers, highlighted the risk of underground combustion, a phenomenon observed in previous major fires.

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The fire can persist for days within the burnt area. There are cases where the trunks and root systems of trees burn underground. This combustion can last for weeks or even months.

Lekkas explained that even when surface fires appear to be out, the combustion can continue beneath the ground, particularly in the root systems of trees. "The fire can persist for days within the burnt area. There are cases where the trunks and root systems of trees burn underground. This combustion can last for weeks or even months," he stated.

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Phenomena are created that hinder the work of aerial and ground forces, due to the particular conditions developing in the region's microclimate.

Adding to the difficulty, specific atmospheric conditions in the region, such as a temperature inversion, are trapping a large cloud of smoke and steam. This "microclimate" phenomenon impedes the work of both aerial and ground firefighting forces. While a gradual improvement in atmospheric conditions is expected later in the day, Lekkas stressed that these "precious hours" are critical for extinguishing efforts.

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We believe that conditions will be better in a few hours. However, these are precious hours that could be used for extinguishing.

Despite the challenges, Lekkas noted that Greece has a good level of equipment compared to other European countries, and the operational mechanism has more ground and air resources than ever before. The immediate operational goal for the fire brigades is to delineate the fire's perimeter, preventing its further spread. "The immediate goal is to delineate a fire so that it does not spread further. This is the primary and initial goal," he said. Delineation means active hotspots are within a controlled perimeter, not that the fire is completely extinguished.

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The immediate goal is to delineate a fire so that it does not spread further. This is the primary and initial goal.