As the cradle of Western civilization, Greece is experiencing unprecedented setbacks. Driven by high temperatures and strong winds, wildfires are raging uncontrollably in the Evros region of northeastern Greece, and have been burning for more than ten days.

A spokesperson for the European Commission pointed out on Tuesday that the forest fire in Greece was the largest wildfire in the history of the European Union. The EU has deployed nearly half of its firefighting forces to deal with the fire, including 11 planes and 1 helicopter, as well as 407 firefighters.

So far, the fire has caused 20 deaths, mostly due to immigrants hiding in the forest due to residential issues. The EU Civil Defense Department also stated that the fire has destroyed over 810 square kilometers of land, which is larger than New York City.

The EU Civil Defense Department added that this is the most serious wildfire in the EU since the European Forest Fire Information System began recording it in 2000.

The Greek fire department has revealed that the wildfire in the northeastern region of Dadia National Park, which is a major protected area for raptors, is still out of control.

Forest ranger Dora Skartsis pointed out that this is a huge ecological disaster. The park had a big fire in 2011, but now everything has been burned down since 2011.

Kostas Dounakis, the head of the local cattle association in the fire, was also very distressed. He claimed that at least 4000 sheep and goats died in fires in Alexandropolis alone, and the warehouse for storing feed was destroyed in a single incident.

Beekeeper Michalis Tsolakis claimed to have lost 350 beehives. Local farmers attempted to wet the land with water spray to prevent the spread of the fire, but the water quickly evaporated. He lamented that nothing could be saved.

The European Union is calling on member states to form a fleet of 28 aircraft to extinguish the Greek fire. In addition, the EU plans to create an independent air force squadron funded by the EU and containing 12 aircraft to respond to such incidents. The team is expected to be fully operational by 2030.

Greece, under the leadership of Prime Minister Mizotakis, is discussing the issue of afforestation after the fire. The Greek Minister of Environment also pointed out that Greece must start flood control work to prevent disasters such as landslides on bare land after fires caused by autumn rainfall.