Got feedback on the new design? We're Listening! Send us Feedback

41 die as fires ravage Greece »

Posted by: msgbeepa 1 year ago

34 Comments Report this Story

8.2

Scale of 1 to 10

Read: 30

Propped: 85

Comments: 34

Click Prop It to Raise Score
 Prop it

ATHENS, Greece (CNN) -- Greek authorities and counter-terrorism squads are investigating whether arsonists started some of the forest fires that have claimed at least 41 lives as they sweep across the south of the country

Read Full Story at cnn.com

Join the Discussion

+ Add Comment
Comments So Far: 34
  • 0%
    coreyspring1 year ago

    Yikes, you know it's bad when they declare a nationwide state of emergency

    Reply

    4 Replies

    • 0%
      ekklesiawarrior1 year ago

      Corey these fires first began in June and grew worse in July. The present Greek Government is under such critical review, that a snap Election has been set for Sunday 16 September.

      Reply

      3 Replies

  • 0%
    AmericanIdiot1 year ago

    Mediterranean countries have a dry season without rains stretching as long as 7 months of the year. Forests have grown up in the hills with the decline of agriculture, which is overall a good thing. However, they must be ever vigilant against forest fires.

    Pine trees are especially vulnerable to summer heat, and a coke bottle can act as a lens, igniting a fire on pine duff, the resinous trees quickly igniting and spreading the fire far and wide.

    Mediterranean forests can be managed by the use of firebreaks, water barriers, replacing pines with deciduous trees, which are less flamable, have compact crowns, and regenerate after fires, and by grazing sheep and goats in the forests to reduce duff and litter.

    Trees should be widely spaced, pruned regularly, and dead trees should be removed.

    Another solution is to encourage agriculture in the mountains, which has declined since the Second World War.

    Reply
    • 0%
      Fedquip1 year ago

      Europe has been having a horrible summer, floods, forest fires, either the news coverage of these events have gone up, or the number of disasters has gone up. Either way lots of disasters going on.

      Reply
      • 0%
        samspapa1 year ago

        As I have friends and loved ones in Greece, I have been horrified by the awful heat and dryness of this summer. The fires have been incredible!

        I have experienced many a dry, arid summer. It is what brings the tourists, one is almost guaranteed a glorious, sunny vacation in Greece. This has it's consequences!

        Lets hope they get some rain, soon, and pray that they are not encumbered with earthquakes aswell.

        Greece is one of the most beautiful countries of this world.

        If any one has a chance to get there, it is well worth the trip. Early summer and early fall are glorious for weather.

        My prayers go out to them, and I sincerely hope that things will get better very soon.

        Debra V

        Reply

        1 Reply

      • 0%
        ekklesiawarrior1 year ago

        Op-Ed:

        We have been in these areas, worst affected by the FOREST FIRES in Greece!

        We and most of the Greek people do NOT accept reports of arson or an act of terror, this is sensational journalism at it's worst.

        *The facts are these fires have gone on for many weeks, the Government in Greece has been so disorganized that an Election has been set for Sunday 16 September.

        ** Any hype that Terror has caused these Forest Fire deaths is about as accurate to blame Iraq for the act 9 11.

        http://religion.netscape.com/story/2007/08/24/f...

        http://news.netscape.com/story/2007/08/25/fires...

        http://news.netscape.com/story/2007/08/25/wind-...

        Reply

        6 Replies

        • 0%
          1-2-Oscar1 year ago

          There is a very real possibility that SOME of the fires were deliberately set by people who want to further unbalance the government and create as much disorder as possible before the elections. The groups most likely to have done so are anarchists who would like to see the complete collapse of civil government.

          Reply

          2 Replies

        • 0%
          oroto1 year ago

          Who is "we and most of the Greek people" there is evidence that fires were started on purpose. So why don't you get your facts right before you start your useless comments.

          Reply

          2 Replies

      • 0%
        WngC6181 year ago

        My love is Greek.This morning we were woken up by a phone-call from one of his family members in Greece to tell him about the fires.. It's so shocking that so many people have died due to the fires.

        Thank God my love's family is safe. They are in Athens and out of the reach of the fire.So many villages in the south have been destroyed though :( My thoughts is with everyone who has suffered because of this tragedy..

        Reply
        • 0%
          AmericanIdiot1 year ago

          Maybe the only solution at this point is to remove all forests near settled areas. It could be that the climate is becoming more arid. If the winter rains do not arrive on time, the situation could become very drastic.

          To all the Greek people, stay strong! You have survived much worse, you can survive this! And please call Israel for help. They have much experience in this field.

          Reply

          1 Reply

          • 0%
            oroto1 year ago

            Thank-you we have called Israel and they are sending help.

            Reply
          • 0%
            dudester1 year ago

            I hope nobody poured water on it... You should never pour water on a Greece fire.. it just spreads it around.

            Reply

            1 Reply

            • 0%
              oroto1 year ago

              Firstly it should read Greek fire and not Greece fire, get youself an education and than make comments. Secondly you have to be some sort of a moron to post something like this when people and homes are burning as we speak.

              Reply
            • 0%
              bernardouniversal1 year ago

              its very simpel i lived in turkey they have the same agrar laws once a place burnt down ..it can be sold for construction etc...

              otherwise u r not allowed to build in any forests area at all

              and instead of thinkin of any astronomical causes such as terror:)

              they shud just change the laws .period

              Reply
              • 0%
                oroto1 year ago

                You are right but the laws are being changed as we speak to stop any burnt land being sold for construction.

                Reply
                • 0%
                  nasakala1 year ago

                  My husband is visiting relatives as we speak in the South of Greece in the Peloponese, which is burning. They are in the town of Glifa outside of Bartholomi. Their only saving grace yesterday was that the wind changed direction and they were spared losing their home. I have spoken to my husband and yes, most of the fires are arson, there were over 70 fires set last night. There is apparently some issue over property and the government is involved. I feel Greece will never be the same, the people are strong but can only endure so much. Greece is Greece, no disrespect but if you live in America and have never been there, you don't know how good we have it

                  Reply
                  • 0%
                    wisedom1 year ago

                    I feel very sorry for the Greek ppl who lost their life in that fire.

                    Reply
                    • 0%
                      oroto1 year ago

                      Thank-you. Greece is slowly being burnt people are being burnt alive, homes are burning, our forests are burning, ancient olympic town of Olympia is burning there will be nothing left in Southern Greece.

                      Fires are being set all over Greece there is no way we can combat what is going on winds are continually changing and morons like ekkesiawarrior want to talk about the pudding. At this moment 2000 people are in danger of being burnt alive because they are surrounded by fire.

                      Reply
                      • 0%
                        Apostolis71 year ago

                        A comment for oroto. Can you tell me what kind of laws have you heard or seen that are going to prevent fires? And what do you mean "on purpose" of course they where. But this is no news. Unless you're here to pass your self as a "Greek Rep" or something. Can I ask you where do you live in Greece? Because I am getting the feeling that you're just another one of those WA's that just like to spend their time insaulting others without any real point. Do you know that from yesterday morning according to the FD and the Government, Olympia wouldn't fall at every cost? For your information as well as the rest on this page the first vehicle that was a FD tracked vehicle that started sprinkling water right before the fire touched the museum. The ancient forest as well as the ancient track area where completely burned. And while minister Voulgarakis claimed that "they where just few trees", it was the ancient forest that has been there for three thousand years.

                        Reply
                        • 0%
                          Apostolis71 year ago

                          Further, I have another comment for you... Three Canadair and two Mi-25 as well as the Russian jet for the fire in Imittos that was extinguished in Less than two hours, while the whole F....... Pelopponisos was catching fires, does it sound like "the right approach" indealing with this situation? What is wrong with you? must you close your eyes in the mistakes that someone "ashetos" made just because they wanted to take the credit in case they would succeed? Well unfortunately (and I care less about any polititian) they where wrong. They are primarily responsible for this situation and you know it. As for me, I'm just another Greek thatis tired of watching incapable people sinking this historic marvel deeper and deeper in the mud...

                          Very Respectfuly

                          G' MAK Hios

                          Reply

                          1 Reply

                          • 0%
                            oroto1 year ago

                            Thanks for your commments I live in Greece and know exactly what is going, did I not say that the South of Greece is burning did I not say that Olympia was burning did I not say that people are dying as we speak. No where in my posts did I defend the Greek government or the way they handled the situation, I did not make any political statement so I don't see why you are answering me with politics, this is exactly the problem in Greece even in such serious times Greeks can not see past their political colours. The fire in Imittos was extinguished in less then half an hour and you should know the reason why, and if you don't you should find out.

                            Reply
                          • 0%
                            Apostolis71 year ago

                            Last but not least, I am not in favor or against the government.However I like to take responsibility of my actions. The same I expect from others, especially people that are governing a country, and are dealing with peoples money, faith in the government, health and safety.To be honest I dislike Papandreou's stance taking advantage of the situation although the situation is still very critical. But on the other hand I would expect the government to stop acting as if they did alright. They didn't.

                            Reply
                            • 0%
                              Apostolis71 year ago

                              It's ok to say that the previous government did hudge mistakes. However, this government has been there nearly for four years, they where informed that there was going to be a massive effort to burn the country when the chance would be given (meaning strong winds ) and they where informed by interpol about a month ago. Now, does it seem like they knew, and yet they acted the way they did? It's about time us Greeks start thinking what is good for this country and us as Greeks. If polititians don't care, then they should live the scenery. Go home. Back in being lawyers, doctors, or even singers, journalists or whatever they where doing before they took on their shoulders tasks and positions that they couln't handle.

                              G'MAK, Hios

                              Reply
                              • 0%
                                Apostolis71 year ago

                                Oroto, thank you for answering. See? even worse. I thought it was in two hours, and it was in half an hour. That is a "joke" on their behalf,(they also had more than seventy vehicles, while in Evoia and Peloponnisos there where villages with none... Burning...). Although I know what is the case here like you do as well. However, let them now deal with all this dead land in Peloponnisos and Evoia. Is it worth the wealth that Imitos contains??? Oh by the way they have catched another one that says he was paid to start a fire. He hasn't yet confessed, but he will, I can't wait... Thank you and sorry if I raised tension.

                                Regards.

                                Reply
                                  • 0%
                                    drugsers6 months ago

                                    http://stimul-pharmacy.co.uk

                                    http://stimul-pharmacy.co.uk/buy_cheap_generic_...

                                    http://stimul-pharmacy.co.uk/buy_cheap_generic_...

                                    http://stimul-pharmacy.co.uk/buy_cheap_generic_...

                                    http://stimul-pharmacy.co.uk/buy_cheap_generic_...

                                    http://stimul-pharmacy.co.uk/buy_cheap_generic_...

                                    http://stimul-pharmacy.co.uk/buy_cheap_generic_...

                                    http://dscott.truth.posiweb.net/prevacid-lansop...

                                    http://dscott2.truth.posiweb.net/albuterol

                                    http://dscott2.truth.posiweb.net/viagra-order

                                    http://dscott2.truth.posiweb.net/viagra-cheap

                                    http://mp3fansite.com

                                    http://stimul-pharmacy.co.uk/press

                                    http://gurudor.com

                                    http://www.johntolliday.co.uk/logstats/order-ch...

                                    http://www.johntolliday.co.uk/logstats/buy-chea...

                                    http://www.johntolliday.co.uk/logstats/lopresso...

                                    http://www.google.com/notebook/public/065466702...

                                    http://phentenermine.blogsome.com

                                    http://forschner.blogsome.com

                                    Reply
                                    Next 25 comments

                                    You must be signed in to post a comment. Sign in »

                                    Submitted By:
                                    msgbeepa

                                    Related Articles:

                                    Why not submit a story?

                                    Also Propping This Article

                                    view all »

                                    Groups Watching This

                                    No groups are watching this story. Why not share it with your group?

                                    Got a Story?

                                    Advertisement