The names Mati, Evia and Evros have become etched in Greece’s collective memory—synonyms for devastation and loss.
In 2018, flames tore through the seaside town of Mati in Attica, killing 104 people and destroying thousands of homes in one of Europe’s deadliest wildfires this century.
In 2021, the island of Evia was ravaged by firestorms that forced mass evacuations and reduced entire forests to ash.
Just two years later, in 2023, Evros in northeastern Greece endured one of the largest wildfires ever recorded in the European Union, burning for weeks, consuming nearly 100,000 hectares and claiming dozens of lives.
It is against this backdrop of recurring disaster that Greece is moving to strengthen its frontline defenses. The government has announced the purchase of 25 new Air Tractor firefighting aircraft in a €154.8 million ($182 million) deal awarded to Air Tractor Europe.
Financing will come from a mix of European Union funds, national resources and a loan from the European Investment Bank.
The fleet will consist of 19 single-seat and six dual-seat AT-802 “Fire Boss” amphibious planes—highly maneuverable, single-engine aircraft that can scoop water from the sea or lakes and deploy within minutes of an alert. With speeds approaching 300 km/h (186 mph), they are designed for rapid, repeated strikes in the difficult terrain that often hampers ground crews.
Officials hope the expanded aerial fleet will give Greece a sharper edge in confronting fire seasons that have grown longer, hotter and more destructive under the pressure of climate change.
The planes are expected to improve the country’s ability to respond to multiple outbreaks simultaneously, preventing smaller fires from escalating into the kinds of national tragedies that scarred Mati, Evia and Evros.
Yet even as this investment marks a significant step forward, experts caution that firefighting aircraft alone cannot shoulder the burden. Robust ground operations, early detection systems and community preparedness remain essential.
Still, the message is clear: Greece is bracing itself for summers when wildfires are no longer the exception, but the rule—and this time, it intends to be better prepared.
