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GFMC entrusted by the Prime Minister of Greece to lead the National Committee on Perspectives of Landscape Fire Management in Greece
09 August 2018 – Last Update: 10 March 2024
On 23 July 2018 fast-moving wildfires near Athens affected the resorts Kineta and Mati and resulted in the death of 102 people, numerous injuries and the loss of critical infrastructures, houses, and private assets. Following the publication of statements by the head of the Global Fire Monitoring Center (GFMC), Prof. Dr. Johann Georg Goldammer, by the Greek News Agency ANA-MPA on 4 August 2018, a phone conversation between the Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Alexis Tsipras, was held on 7 August 2018. In this phone conversation, Prime Minister Tsipras asked Prof. Goldammer if he would be available to set up and lead a committee under the aegis of GFMC. The aim of the committee will be to investigate the underlying causes of the wildfire risks in the country and to develop recommendations for required reforms and policy measures in order to increase the resilience of the natural, cultural and urban-industrial landscapes of Greece and the people living therein against wildfires, and to prevent such disastrous events in the future. On a press conference on 9 August 2018, the Prime Minister added that the move aimed at excluding any possibility of political influence and biased findings.
After having accepted this proposal the head of GFMC met with the Prime Minister Tsipras on 23 August 2018 at the Maximos Mansion in Athens.
An agreement was reached about further procedures and the modus operandi of the “Committee on Perspectives of Landscape Fire Management in Greece”. The head of GFMC also consulted with the parliamentary opposition leader, Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, to reach an agreement of multi-partisan support of the work of the Committee in the Hellenic Parliament.
The Commission decided to refrain from press interviews and other public statements, with the exemption of a few public statements in the Public TV and a News Agency (23 August 2018), at an interim press conference on 31 October 2018 and a second press conference after the delivery of the report of the Commission to the Prime Minister and the President of the Hellenic Parliament on 8 February 2019 (see below).
On 23 August 2018 the head of GFMC met with the Prime Minister Tsipras at the Maximos Mansion. Photo: Office of the Prime Minister
Establishment of the Committee
- Announcement by the Prime Minister on the establishment of the Committee (Government Gazette, 10 September 2018) (PDF)
- Announcement by the Prime Minister on the establishment of the Committee (Government Gazette, 10 September 2018, mirrored on the GFMC repository) (PDF)
Selected first media reports in Greece
- Interview with the head of GFMC published by APE-MPE News Agency on 4 August 2018 (PDF)
- PM Tsipras calls on Max Planck professor to set up wildfire study committee (09 August 2018)
- PM Tsipras meets with Prof. Goldammer, Head of Recommendation Committee on Fire Prevention (23 August 2018) (PDF)
- Video coverage of the meeting in Maximos Mansion on 23 August 2018 (YouTube)
- ERT evening news with GFMC interview on 23 August 2018 (currently expired) (mp4, available on request at GFMC)
- Statement of opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis (Mononews, 23 August 2023) (PDF)
- Committee on wildfires needs support across political spectrum (ERT, 23 August 2018) (PDF)
- Interview with GFMC Head published by Embolos on 24 August 2018 (with YouTube https://youtu.be/fRX3qsNjD9s)
- G. Goldammer: All parties in the country must agree and support the independent committee (Dasarxeio, 25 August 2018) (PDF)
- GFMC Interview: All parties must support the independent Committee (Left, 25 August 2018) (PDF)
- Announcement by the Prime Minister on the establishment of the Committee (Government Gazette, 10 September 2018) (PDF)
- Press release by the Committee (13 September 2018, published by the PM Office) (PDF)
- Other media response to the press release (13-14 September 2018) (PDF)
- Mati changes the firefighting doctrine (Kathimerini, 22 October 2018) (PDF)
On 23 September 2018, the head of Committee introduced the Liaison Team to the State Minister and Spokesperson of the Government of Greece, Mr. Dimitrios Tzanakopoulos, at the Maximos Mansion. From left to right: Giorgos Mallinis, Georgios Eftychidis, Johann Georg Goldammer, Dimitrios Tzanakopoulos, Gavriil Xanthopoulos, Ioannis Mitsopoulos, Alexander Dimitrakopoulos.
Briefing of the Greek media by the Committee (from left to right: Ioannis Mitsopoulos, Gavriil Xanthopoulos, Johann Georg Goldammer, Alexander Dimitrakopoulos, Georgios Eftychidis, Giorgos Mallinis).
- GFMC press release (for GFMC press conference on 31 October 2018) (PDF)
- News 24-7 response to the press conference (PDF)
- Cooperative society is needed to prevent forest fires (Avgi, 01 November 2018) (PDF)
- Lost in the…Coordination (Efsyn, 01 November 2018) (PDF)
- New facts on Natural Disasters Kathimirini-01-November-2018 (Kathimirini, 01 November 2018) (PDF)
- Greece: Civil society must mobilize in the face of fires (expert) (Agerpress, 31 October 2018) (PDF)
- Goldammer: More involvement of citizens in landscape fire management is needed in Greece (Newsbeast, 31 October 2018) (PDF)
- Key stakeholders, experts and practitioners discuss the future landscape fire management of the country (Tovima, 31, October 2018) (0.2 MB)
- Johann Georg Goldammer: Environmental protection is a cross-party issue (Dasarxeio, 01 November 2018) (PDF)
Delivery of the Report to the Government of Greece
On 7 February 2019 the “Report of the Independent Committee tasked to Analyse the Underlying Causes and Explore the Perspectives for the Future Management of Landscape Fires in Greece” was handed over to Prime Minister Tsipras, the President of the Hellenic Parliament and the Standing Committees on the Protection of the Environment, Production and Commerce and Public Administration, Public Order and Justice. Furthermore, the Committee briefed the Parliamentary Groups. On 8 February 2019 the report was handed over to the President of the Hellenic Republic, Prokopis Pavlopoulos.
- Report of the Independent Committee tasked to Analyze the Underlying Causes and Explore the Perspectives for the Future Management of Landscape Fires in Greece (PDF, 6.5 MB)
- Publication on the website of the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Government: https://government.gov.gr/report-on-landscape-fires-in-greece
Briefing of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Maximos Mansion by the Committee, with participation of State Minister Dimitrios Tsanakopoulos and the Secretary for Civil Protection, Ioannis Tafyllis (on 7 February 2019). Photo: Maximos.
Handing over the Report to the Hellenic Parliament. From left: Committee Chair Johann Georg Goldammer, Mr. Nikolaos Voutsis, President of the Hellenic Parliament, Mrs. Aikaterini Igglezi, MP and Chair of the Special Standing Committee on the Protection of the Environment, Mrs. Chara Kafantari, MP and Chair of the Standing Committee on Production and Commerce, Mr. Mr Antonios Syrigos, MP and Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Administration, Public Order and Justice.
©Copyright: Hellenic Parliament-Photographer: Aliki Eleftheriou
Athens-Greece
Handing over the Report to Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, President, Parliamentary Group Nea Demokratia.
Handing over the Report to Mr. George Mavrotas, Vice-President, Parliamentary Group POTAMI.
Handing over the Report to the Parliamentary Group Democratic Coalition. Top left: Mr. Vasilis Kegkeroglou, Secretary; right: Mr. George Arvanitidis, Chair of the Environment & Energy Working Group
Handing over the Report to Mr. Vasileios Spyrou, Director, Parliamentary Group ENOSI KENTROON. Photo: Hellenic Parliament.
On 8 February 2019 the report was handed over to the President of the Hellenic Republic, His Excellency Mr. Prokopis Pavlopoulos (Center). ©Photo: ANA-MPA
At the Presidential Mansion (Proedrikό Mégaro) the President of the Hellenic Republic and the Commission discussed the consequences of climate change and land-use change on future risks of dangerous landscape fires and the measures to be taken. ©Photo: ANA-MPA.
On 8 February 2019 the media were briefed on the outcomes of the Commission: Press conference at the General Secretariat of Information and Communication in Athens.
- Press release announcing the press conference on 08 February 2019 (PDF)
- Tsipras received the Commission’s Findings on Fire Management (Eleftherostypos, 07 February 2019)
- Delivery of the Independent Committee for the Investigation of the Causes of Fires in Greece to the President of the Hellenic Parliament (Greek Parliament, 07 February 2019) (PDF)
- What does the Independent commission propose for forest fire management? (ANA-MPA, 07 February 2019) (PDF)
- Administrative chaos in fire protection finds the conclusion of the Scientific Committee (Kathimerini, 07 February 2019) (PDF)
- Mitsotakis on the conclusion of the fires: It is a blueprint for the steps we will follow (Iefimerida, 07 February 2019) (PDF)
- Mitsotakis in Goldammer: Government bears responsibility for deadly Mati fire (TaNea, 07 February 2019) (PDF)
- Meeting of the President of N.D., K. Mitsotakis, with the Commission (Dasarxeio, 08 February 2019)
- In Mati, there was no coordination! (Iefimerida, 10 February 2019) (PDF)
- B. Apostolou: The change of the forest firefighting model is also necessary according to GOLDAMMER’s conclusion (Dasarxeio, 12 February 2019)
Presentation of the Report to the European Commission (DG ECHO) on 8 March 2019
Presentation of the recommendations of the Committee by
by Ioannis Mitsopoulos. Photo: G. Eftychidis.
- Presentation of the work of the Committee (PDF, 1.8 MB)
Follow-up in implementing the Recommendation of the Committee
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Meeting of Olga Gerovasili with the with the Independent Fire Management Committee (Liberal, 19 March 2019) (PDF)
On 17 April 2019 the Independent Fire Management Committee presented and discussed the recommendations with three Special Parliamentary Committees in the Hellenic Parliament.
- Video record of the parliamentary session (Hellenic Parliament)
- Screenshots of the parliamentary discussions (PDF, 2.5 MB)
The spokesperson of the Independent Fire Management Committee, Dr. Gavriil Xanthopoulos, briefed the Hellenic Parliament on 17 April 2019
- FAZ on Mati: Confused competences, lack of coordination and loopholes (Iefimerida, 17 April 2019) (PDF)
- WWF: Vacuums and Deficiencies 10 Months after (Kathimerini, 30 May 2019) (PDF)
- Unfortified Country on Fire (Kathimerini, 31 May 2019) (PDF)
- Instrumentalisierung des Parlaments von SYRIZA, aber Gleichgültigkeit gegenüber dem Brandschutz (Kathimerini, 01 June 2019) (PDF)
- The action plan on fires includes the recruitment of 500 executives in the Forest Service (Dasarxeio, 05 June 2019) (PDF)
- Boosting Forest Fire Prevention, Greece Will Add 200 Recruits (The National Herald, 06 June 2019) (PDF)
The first online conferences between the Independent Fire Management Committee and the Team of Mr. Stavros Benos, mandated by the Hellenic Government to develop a plan for post-fire reconstruction of Evia Island affected by wildfires in 2021, took place between 16 November and 07 December 2021. Participation: GFMC/Epitropi, Benos Team, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Greece; ministerial focal points of the German-Greek Assembly: Development of a plan of cooperation.
- I want citizens to see images of their future in the spring (Interview oy EFSYN with Mr. Stavros Benos, 27 November 2021) (PDF)
- Goldammer – “Only prevention will save Greece from fires” (Interview with TaNea, 06 December 2021) (PDF)
First online consultation with Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Hellenic Republic, Mr. Christos Stylianides, on landscape fire management; Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection of Greece, Athens, GFMC (22 December 2021)
- Meeting Agenda (in Greek) (PDF)
- Recording of the meeting (YouTube)
26 May 2022
Continuation of cooperation with the Reconstruction Program of Northern Evia with the institutions and the citizens of Northern Evia, jointly with the Independent Landscape Fire Management Committee of Greece and the Team of Mr. Stavros Benos, mandated by the Hellenic Government to develop a plan for post-fire reconstruction of North Evia affected by wildfires in 2021: Field work and stakeholder consultations in the Region of Mantoudi, Limni und Agia Anna, North Evia (Limni, 26 May 2022).
- Invitation of the Stakeholder Consultation by the Mayor of Limni (PDF)
- Announcement of Consultation in Dasarxeio (26 May 2022) (PDF)
The Round Table of the Municipality of Mantoudi, Agia Anna and Limni offered an opportunity for local authorities, inhabitants and the representatives of the Independent Landscape Fire Management Committee of Greece and the Team of Mr. Stavros Benos to discuss the severe fires in North Evia in 2021 and the need for action for the future.
27 May 2022 to January 2023
On 27 May 2022, the chair and the speaker of the Independent Landscape Fire Management Committee of Greece, Prof. Dr. Johann Georg Goldammer and Dr. Gavriil Xanthopoulos, met with Mr. Stavros Benos and Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Mr. Christos Stylianides. Consent was reached about the cooperation concerning the future of fire management in Greece.
- Stavros Benos: “The goal is there, you carve the path…” – What he revealed about the difficulties of reconstruction – What the Prime Minister told him – What is the next day (Interview with Diazoma, 13 November 2022) (PDF)
- North Evia: The Reconstruction Program is in the final stages of implementation (Mono News, 8 January 2023) (PDF)
07 March 2027
National conference “Forest Fires. Conclusions and Directions. The case of Evros”, organized by the Geotechnical Chamber of Greece in cooperation with GFMC in its function of Chair, National Committee on Perspectives of Landscape Fire Management in Greece, with presentation of the chair of the National Committee (Johann G. Goldammer, GFMC) “Landscape Fire Management as a Cross-sectoral Task: Greek and Global Perspectives” and the speaker of the National Committee (Gavriil Xanthopoulos (Hellenic Agricultural Organization “Demeter”, Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems) “Forest Fires: Directions for the Future in light of Recent Disasters’”; Alexandroupolis, Greece.
- https://geotee.gr/
- Alexandroupolis conference announcement
- Alexandroupolis conference agenda (PDF, 1.2 MB)
- Conference record on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtDiOWlllS0
- Alexandroupolis conference report by Focus Ston Evro (07 March 2024) (PDF, 0.5 MB)
- Alexandroupolis conference report by Ypaithros (08 March 2024) (PDF, 0.4 MB)
Follow-up Publications
The following publications include statements of or about the Independent Fire Management Committee and a few reports about action taken by the government of Greece in 2020-2021:
- A year after Greece’s wildfire disaster (Crisis Response 14, October 2019) (PDF)
- Johann Goldammer in ‘K’: Fire prevention is most important (Kathimerini, 29 January 2020) (PDF)
- Hearing at the joint meeting of the Standing Committee on Public Administration – Public Order and Justice and the Special Standing Committee on Environmental Protection concerning the draft of the new law in the Parliament (29 January 2020): Statement of the representative of the Association of the Foresters and member of the Geo-technical Chamber of Greece, Mr Nikos Bokaris (PDF)
- Forest firefighting is very expensive this year (Dasarxeio, 01 May 2020)
- Experts in Greece Fear “Ecological Disaster” After Major Forest Fire Outside Athens (The Pappas Post, 26 May 2021)
- Fire Protection: Hardalias announces 1.76 billion mammoth program. This is the largest weapons program for civilian use to date (Skai News, 16 June 2021)
- Reactions for the fire protection works in Schinias (Athina 98.4, 28 June 2021)
- Interview the Panhellenic Association of Foresters of Public Service (Efsyn, 07 August 2021)
- Interview with the environmental organization “Callisto” (IN, 07 August 2021)
- G. Xanthopoulos: The “blind” evacuations are not without consequences – The Goldammer finding that was left in the drawer (Dasarxeio, 08 August 2021)
- Four guilty for Armageddon Shock report predicting disaster (Ta Nea, 09 August 2021)
- Politicians have commissioned, and largely ignored, multiple reports on wildfires (Macropolis, 09. August 2021)
- DW for Greece, Turkey, Italy: Forest fires are not only due to climate change (Deutsche Welle, 09 August 2021)
- Because it was hidden in the drawers: A report predicted the destruction from the fires & Editorial: The same mistakes (Ta Nea, 09 August 2021)
- The report predicted destruction from fires …(Athens News, 09 August 2021)
- The ignored Goldammer Findings: What it said about the lack of coordination in fire prevention and response (News 24/7, 10 August 2021)
- Griechenland: Krisenmanager der leisen Töne (Sueddeutsche Zeitung, 11 August 2021)
- Alexis Tsipras: “Wir müssen unseren Lebensstil ändern” (DIE ZEIT, 11 August 2021)
- Greek countryside becoming more inflammable (Kathimerini, Greek; 12 August 2021)
- Greek countryside becoming more inflammable (Kathimerini, English; 12 August 202)
- Landflucht begünstigt Brände (Der Standard, 12 August 2021)
- Wie der Wald feuerfest wird (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 12 August 2021)
- Hulp van burgers bij voorkomen bosbrand is nodig (Algemeen Handelsblad, The Netherlands, 13 August 2021)
- The German press writes: Prevention is the key to fires (TaNea, 13 August 2021) (PDF)
- Zeitenwende auf Euböa: Die Waldbrände hinterlassen auf der griechischen Insel tiefe Spuren (Neue Züricher Zeitung, 19 August 2021)
- The Greek wildfires: What went wrong and what can be fixed? (Aljazeera, 19 August 2021)
- Are changes in Civil Protection necessary? (Liberal, 25 August 2021
- Return to prevention or disaster without return(Dasarxeio, 25 August 2021)
- What to do with the forest-settlement mix zones (Newsbeast, 27 August 2021)
- Firefighting methods to be overhauled(Kathimerini, 30 August 2021)
- The deepest causes of our malice (Kathimerini, 05 September 2021)
- How Portugal turned the page on forest fires (Kathimerini, 08 September 2021)
- The Fires that Raged on this Greek Island are out. Now Northern Evia Faces a Long Road to Recovery (Inside Climate News, 26 September 2021)
- It’s like a war: Greece battles increase in summer wildfires recovery (The Guardian, 30 September 2021)
- I want citizens to see images of their future in the spring (Efsyn, 27 November 2021)
- Goldammer – “Only prevention will save Greece from fires” (Interview with TaNea, 04-05 December 2021) 06 December 2021) and online version (Greek and English, 06 December 2021)
- Forest fires, the Fire Service and floating responsibilities (Dasarxeio, 17 May 2023, and Efsyn, 16 May 2023)
- Interview of Professor Johann G. Goldammer to “Naftemporiki”: What is already happening with fires, it will become worse (Naftemporiki, 20 July 2023) (print version, Greek) (online Greek) (online English)
- Fires / The black book of forest protection – Three findings call for implementation (Afgi, 24 July 2023)
- A question about the July fires was submitted by S. Famellos to the Prime Minister (Dasarxeio, 3 August 2023)
- This is how the forests were left to burn (Afgi, 22 August 2023)
- B. Kikilias on fires: The situation in Parnitha is extremely critical – The situation is unprecedented this year (Naftemporiki, 23 August 2023)
- The “publicization” of the Goldammer Commission’s conclusion (Dasarxeio, 27 August 2023)
- The extent of the damage to the forest ecosystem as the fires rage (YouTube) (Center TV, 27 August 2023)
- Time to talk about the Goldammer findings (Liberal, 28 August 2023)
- Time to talk about the Goldammer findings (Dasarxeio, 28 August 2023)
- Speech by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in the Parliament, in the debate about the recent fires that occurred in the country, the support measures for those affected and the initiatives launched by the government to deal with the consequences of the climate crisis (Parliamentary debate, Parliament of Greece, 31 August 2023, original published on https://www.primeminister.gr/2023/08/31/32425)
- Thoughts on management, prevention and suppression of fires, floods, reforestation, restoration and climate crisis (Dasarxeio, 13 September 2023)
- Greece is fighting wildfires the wrong way (Aljazeera, 17 September 2023)
- PEDDY Announcement on Forest Fire Advisory Committees (Dasarxeio, 30 January 2024)
GFMC Guidelines, Training Materials and Educational Sources in Greek Language
About the GFMC
The GFMC is a subdivision of the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry and is associated with the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction / UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) through the Science & Technology Partnership and its membership in the former UNISDR Inter-Agency Task Force for Disaster Reduction as leader of the Working Group on Wildland Fire and its successor arrangement, the Global Wildland Fire Network (GWFN). GFMC is coordinating a Sendai Voluntary Contribution (SVC).
In this context, the GFMC is coordinator and secretariat of the Global Wildland Fire Network, the UNISDR Wildland Fire Advisory Group and the International Fire Aviation Working Group (IFAWG). Furthermore, GFMC is serving as secretariat of the International Wildfire Preparedness Mechanism (IWPM). The Tools of the Global Fire Monitoring Center (GFMC) are aimed at advising / supporting nations and the United Nations in Capacity Building in Landscape Fire Management and Wildfire Disaster Risk Reduction.
The GMFC is serving as a Specialized Center under the European and Mediterranean Major Hazards Agreement of the Council of Europe and collaborates with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in developing national fire management policies and fire management capacities, specifically in following up the Basel OSCE Ministerial Council Decision No. 6/14 on Enhancing Disaster Risk Reduction.
Johann Georg Goldammer is founder of GFMC (1998) and serving as director since then.
Global Landscape Fire Award 2019
In order to create enhanced awareness of policy makers, politicians, administrators and scientists to bring the state of science and knowledge to practical and pragmatic application, the leadership of the Global Wildland Fire Network has decided on 9 May 2019 to launch the “Global Landscape Fire Award”. This prize will be awarded to individuals or institutions for:
Recognition for the Successful Achievements in Reducing the Adverse Impacts of Landscape Fires on the Environment and Humanity and the Promotion of Sustainable and Safe Application of Fire in Land Use and Ecosystem Management.
The Global Landscape Fire Award is a non-monetary award, which will be granted for the first time in 2019.
Based on the assessment of her achievements this first Award will be granted to Dr. Ir. Siti Nurbaya, MSc, Minister for Environment and Forestry, Republic of Indonesia.
Ceremony of handing over the Global Landscape Fire Award 2019 on 11 September 2019 in the Ministry for Environment and Forestry, Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta, to the laureate Dr. Ir. Siti Nurbaya, MSc, Minister for Environment and Forestry, Republic of Indonesia, and Certificates of Distinction for Prof. Dr. Ir. Bambang Hero Saharjo, M.Agr., Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) (right) and Dr. Ir. Raffles Brotestes Panjaitan, MSc, Director of Forest and Land Fire Management, Directorate General of Climate Change, Ministry for Environment and Forestry, Republic of Indonesia; Jakarta, Indonesia (left). Photos: Ministry for Environment and Forestry, Republic of Indonesia.
For more information:
- Eulogy given by Johann Georg Goldammer, head of GFMC and coordinator of the GWFN (PDF)
- Video about the awardee (mp4, 25 MP)
- Award Certificate for Dr. Ir. Siti Nurbaya (PDF)
- Certificate of Distinction for Prof. Dr. Ir. Bambang Hero Saharjo (PDF)
- Certificate of Distinction for Dr. Ir. Raffles Brotestes Panjaitan (PDF)
- Indonesian media reports (PDF)
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John Maddox Prize 2019
Prof. Dr. Bambang Hero Saharjo, head of the Regional Fire Management Resource Center – South East Asia (RFMRC-SEA) and Indonesia’s lead expert witness on environmentally catastrophic peatland fires, has been awarded the 2019 John Maddox Prize for Standing up for Science for his courage and integrity in standing up for sound science in the face of harassment, intimidation, and law suits (GFMC co-nominator); London, United Kingdom).
Bambang Hero Saharjo (second from right) after accepting the 2019 John Maddox Prize in London..