Faulty power lines under scrutiny after Greece’s deadly summer wildfires
Fire department findings and data have renewed concern over Greece’s electricity network after fires linked to suspected power-line failures.
Athens, Greece. Greece’s electricity network has come under renewed scrutiny after fire department findings linked faulty power lines to two major wildfires this summer, including a blaze near Athens that killed two firefighting helicopter crew members.
A confidential fire department report said an earlier fire near Agios Vasileios was likely caused by a short circuit on the same private wind farm network involved in the later wildfire.
Earlier warning
A smaller fire burned about 12 acres near the village of Agios Vasileios on June 27. According to the confidential investigative report, seen by Reuters, the blaze was likely caused by a short circuit 150 metres away on the same network.
The report said the incident “constitutes a serious indication of the existence of recurring problems in the operation and/or condition of the specific network.”
Three residents and a local official confirmed the earlier incident to Reuters.
Deadly fires
The fire department linked faulty power lines to the Agios Vasileios fire, which later spread through forest, olive groves and residential areas near Athens. Two firefighting helicopter crew members died in a mid-air collision during the response.
A separate fire in Crete, also linked by the fire department to faulty power lines, killed two firefighters and prompted the evacuation of holidaymakers during the summer season.
Fire brigade data seen by Reuters showed that faulty power lines were the leading cause of major wildfires last year, ahead of arson and negligence. Greece generally does not publish details on wildfire causes, and the fire department did not respond to requests for comment.
Network concerns
Greece’s power distribution network suffered years of underinvestment during the country’s 2009-2018 debt crisis. The public power distributor HEDNO faces increased scrutiny as hotter summers and more erratic rainfall increase wildfire risks.
Data from Greece’s Arson Crimes unit show that suspected electricity network failures have accounted for about 75% of the land burned in Greece this year.
Environmental lawyer Antonis Sifakis said overland cables should be phased out, describing the situation as a serious risk to nearby communities.
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