Latest news with #Canadair
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
As wildfire season begins, can Greece make tourists feel safe?
This year, Greece's annual infernos decided not to wait for the official start of wildfire season on May 1. In the dry and warm month of March alone, the Greek fire service recorded around 1,359 outbreaks of forest and bushfires. Currently, a large area north-east of Athens is burning. Stormy winds, as is often the case, are fuelling the flames near the village of Keratea, making it almost impossible for firefighters to contain the blaze. Is all this a glimpse of what lies ahead? The government says it is better prepared than before, but is also warning about significant risks. Images of stormy winds throwing walls of fire, 10 metres high, towards hotels in Greece were seen around the world in 2023. The sheer horror facing tourists in the country's holiday hotspots will be remembered by many considering a trip there this summer. In July of 2023, some 20,000 tourists and residents in the south-east of the island of Rhodes needed to be evacuated in the space of just hours, followed by a days-long battle against the flames. The fires of 2023 showed that nothing would ever be the same again in Greece. 'The climate crisis is reality' "We have to acknowledge that the worst is still ahead of us regarding the climate crisis, and we must be prepared for the worst-case scenarios," said Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during a visit to the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection late in April. "The climate crisis is already a reality – with hotter and drier summers that encourage the spread of fires." Nowadays, Greeks and tourists alike fear the destructive power of wildfires. Fans of the holiday island of Rhodes will not forget the massive fires that devastated the south-east of the island in 2023. Officials say they are not only bolstering their fire departments, but also improving how they contact tourists in the event of nearby wildfires. To protect tourists, civil protection authorities are now sending alerts to all smartphones – including those of foreigners – warning about fires, storm surges, earthquakes and extreme weather conditions. For all visitors to the country, it is crucial to follow the warnings issued by civil protection authorities, officials say. At the same time, the Greek fire service has been reinforced and now includes around 18,000 personnel – 20% more than two years ago. Additionally, 2,500 seasonal firefighters have been recruited. The number of volunteer firefighters has reached approximately 4,500, with a further 5,500 volunteers from environmental, nature and animal protection organisations also contributing. According to civil protection authorities, the country has about 85 firefighting planes and helicopters at its disposal this year. However, the majority of these aircraft are leased, while the country's own fleet continues to shrink despite the high risk of fires, the daily newspaper Kathimerini recently criticized. This is partly due to the fact that many of the Canadair firefighting planes have been in service for decades and require constant maintenance, the newspaper reports. While seven new planes have been ordered, these will not be delivered until 2028 at the earliest. Technology helps – but not always Eighty drones are now in use to identify fire hotspots early. However, even modern technology cannot prevent every disaster. During the devastating fires north-east of Athens last August, the first flames were detected by a drone immediately, and the first firefighting helicopter dropped its load over the fire within minutes – to no avail. Prolonged drought and strong winds allowed the fire to develop into the largest forest fire of the year. Within days, more than 10,000 hectares of land were burned, over 40 villages had to be evacuated, one person lost their life, and many lost their homes.
Shafaq News
30-04-2025
- Climate
- Shafaq News
Jerusalem hills wildfires spark state of emergency in Israel
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, massive wildfires swept through the Jerusalem Hills, forcing Israeli authorities to declare a state of emergency and evacuate thousands. As firefighters warned of a blaze 'unprecedented' in both its intensity and spread, the Israeli National Security Council said it had secured commitments for the arrival of three Canadair firefighting aircraft from Italy and Croatia and was holding talks with other countries, including Greece and Cyprus, for additional aerial support. Meanwhile, the Fire and Rescue Authority revealed that 105 firefighting teams and 12 aircraft were working to contain the flames. Moreover, the Meteorological Service reported wind speeds of 60 to 70 kilometers per hour, making firefighting efforts 'extremely difficult.' While winds were expected to ease later in the day, forecasters warned they could intensify again on Thursday, potentially reigniting fire risks. The Ministry of Transport announced crews had dismantled sections of the central barrier to allow emergency vehicles to pass through, as heavy equipment units from the police were deployed on the ground to assist with evacuations and fire suppression efforts. Reports indicated the fire had spread to multiple communities, Beit Meir, Mevo Horon, and Canada Park. Thousands of residents were evacuated, and police issued warnings that further evacuations could be ordered if conditions worsened. At Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, located near the affected areas, the public was advised to seek treatment only in emergencies. Non-critical patients were evacuated, and staff were placed on high alert for potential casualties. Meanwhile, Shamir Medical Center reported receiving eight injured individuals. Israeli police arrested a 50-year-old man from East Jerusalem on suspicion of attempted arson, as authorities investigate whether the wildfires near Jerusalem were deliberately set, Israeli media outlets reported.
Nahar Net
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Israel PM says planes from Italy, Croatia arriving soon to help fight fires
by Naharnet Newsdesk 30 April 2025, 18:06 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that three aircraft from Italy and Croatia were due to arrive in Israel soon to help fight fires near Jerusalem. "It has so far been agreed that three 'Canadair' aircraft from Italy and Croatia will arrive in Israel as soon as possible," a statement from the premier's office said, following a situational assessment to advance international assistance.
The National
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
Major emergency in Israel as wildfires rage near Tel Aviv and Jerusalem
Major wildfires have broken out in Israel and the occupied West Bank, prompting authorities to call for international help and mobilise the military to combat the blazes. Drivers were forced to abandon their cars on the motorway and ceremonies for Israel's Independence Day were cancelled as flames tore across an area connecting Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Some people were seen escaping on the back of a tow truck as flames lapped the side of the road. Israel's fire service said the fires were concentrated in five hotspots: Canada Park, Latrun, Latrun Interchange, Mesilat Zion and Neve Shalom. The ambulance service said 12 people were injured in the fires, some with burns but most suffering from smoke inhalation. The fires were blamed on high winds and hot weather, although police arrested a man who was allegedly trying to set fire to a field south of Jerusalem. Police said the suspect was a man in his 50s from Umm Taba in East Jerusalem who was being questioned after he was found to be carrying "a lighter, cotton wool, and additional flammable materials". The fire services said a dozen planes were in the air and more than 100 teams were on the ground to fight the blazes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he was holding situational assessments with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and senior emergency officials. Italy and Greece said they were sending assistance to fight the fires. Three Canadair firefighting aircraft will arrive in Israel from Italy and Croatia as soon as possible, the Prime Minister's Office said after a meeting of the National Security Council. The foreign minister's office said Israel had also asked Cyprus for help. The Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, offered to help the firefighting effort, as has happened in previous instances. Many of the affected areas border Palestinian territory, where an Israeli military presence and a lack of resources could hamper an emergency response.
Toronto Star
25-04-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
Manitoba plans to replace aging water bombers to improve wildfire response
WINNIPEG - The Manitoba government is promising three new water bombers for the wildfire service. Premier Wab Kinew says three newer-model Canadair planes will be in place by 2032 to replace three older planes that were built decades ago. The province is putting $80 million aside as a down payment, with the final price tag to be determined. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Earl Simmons, head of the provincial wildfire service, says the new planes have more powerful engines, better navigation systems and more water capacity. He says the older planes are approaching the end of their service life. The replacements mean the province's fleet of water bombers will remain at seven. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 25, 2025.
