What is causing the wildfires in Greece?

After the second world war, Greece’s countryside experienced two debilitating human surges – an exodus of villagers, then a most peculiar human invasion of its fringes.

How has Greece been affected by climate change?

The climate of Greece will become drier due to the decrease in rainfall by 20-30\% in the summer and by 10\% in the winter. Periods of no rainfall whatsoever will be getting longer, the moisture deficit will increase by up to 12\%, and an increased tendency of soil conversion to dryland in 60\% of arable land will appear.

Are wildfires common in Greece?

Although wildfires are common in Greece during the hot, dry summers, hundreds of blazes have broken out across the country in the space of a few days in the wake of an especially long and intense heat wave.

What caused wildfires?

Nearly 85\% of all wildfires in the United States are caused by humans, according to the National Park Service. Another leading cause of fires is lightning, which caused most of the destructive fires in 2020 across the state of California. Related | See a map of active wildfires in California.

How does Greece modify their environment?

Ancient Greeks raised crops and animals well suited to the environment. Wheat and barley were grown, and olives and grapes were harvested. The many hills and mountains provided shrubs to feed the herds of sheep, goats, and cattle.

What started the wildfires 2021?

As of December 13, 2021, a total of 8,619 fires have been recorded, burning 2,569,009 acres (1,039,641 ha) across the state. The January fires were exacerbated by unseasonably strong Santa Ana winds, and some of them burned in the same areas as previous fires like the CZU Lightning Complex.

Is Greece turning into a desert?

Greece is currently ranked 26th for water stress in the world and its climate change predictions are bleak: around 30 percent of Greece could become desert over the next few decades.

What is the climate in Greece?

The climate in Greece is typical of the Mediterranean climate, which is mild and rainy winters, relatively warm and dry summers with, generally, long sunshine duration almost all the year. During the warm and non-rain period the weather is almost stable, the sky is clear, the sun is bright and generally does not rain.

What was the climate like in Ancient Greece?

The climate in Ancient Greece generally featured hot summers and mild winters. Because it was so hot, most people wore lightweight clothing throughout most of the year. They would put on a cloak or wrap during the colder days of the winter months.