ATHENS, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Tuesday acknowledged that the work of firemen has become more difficult in recent years due to resource shortages linked to austerity cuts.
According to a press statement by his office, Tsipras visited a Special Operations and Air Fire Fighting Squadron at Elefsina Air Force Base, 20 km southwest of Athens.
Tsipras stressed that his government is making the utmost effort to support and upgrade firefighting equipment.
According to the first assessment by the Fire Brigade, at least a dozen houses have suffered damages and thousands of olive trees and forested land have been scorched in the mountainous zone of Mani in the Peloponnese peninsula since Sunday. By Tuesday, most fronts had been put under control.
In a press statement, the Greek Association of Greek Fire Brigade Officers voiced concern over being able to cope effectively with wildfires this summer.
One of the main concerns expressed in the press release is fleet renewal. Many of the water dropping aircraft and helicopters are 40 years old, the Association noted. As a result about a third of the planes cannot be used at least until late July as they undergo repairs, the Fire Brigade Officers added.
Greece suffers from scores of destructive wildfires each summer. Ten years ago, in the worst wildfires tragedy in recent decades, over 80 people died as dozens of major wildfires raged across Greece.
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