Images of fire outbreaks on the Greek island of Rhodes on July 19, 2023, were captured by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8. The image credit goes to NASA Earth Observatory by Lauren Dauphin, utilizing Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey.
Wildfires sparked across Rhodes and other islands due to unprecedented heat, compelling thousands to flee.
A persistent heatwave in Greece in July 2023 gave rise to extensive wildfires, prompting large-scale evacuations. Scientists affiliated with NASA monitored the situation using satellite pictures, with NASA’s Earth Applied Sciences Disasters program offering vital data to support rescue efforts. Climate forecasts indicate that such fires may become more frequent due to global warming.
Late in July 2023, wildfires sweeping across the Greek island of Rhodes compelled tens of thousands of residents and tourists to seek safety. An extended period of intense heat led to high fire risks throughout most of the nation. Fires were also set on the mainland and on the islands of Corfu and Evia.
Satellite Visualization of the Crisis
On July 19, the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 procured an image of the Rhodes fire activity. The image depicts natural color, with the infrared signals from active fires superimposed in red. Dense smoke is visible drifting westward towards the Aegean Sea.
This image records the onset of a severe wildfire phase.
Monitoring Fire Spread and Evacuation Initiatives
Scientists associated with NASA tracked the fire’s progression using the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensor on the NASA-NOAA Suomi NPP satellite. By estimating the boundaries of actively burning areas every 12 hours, Eli Orland and Tess McCabe watched the Rhodes fire spread initially at a slower pace, then rapidly accelerate. From July 21 to July 23, the fire expanded six-fold, from roughly 25 to 150 square kilometers (10 to 60 square miles), based on their analysis. Orland is a research associate at Goddard Space Flight Center and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and McCabe is a post-doctoral associate at the University of Maryland, College Park.
News reports suggest that about 19,000 people were evacuated from areas at risk due to the fires. Many found shelter in temporary locations such as schools, gymnasiums, and docked ships, while others in coastal villages boarded coast guard vessels for safety.
Nationwide Fire Conditions
As of July 24, there were 82 fires raging across Greece, with 64 of those initiated on July 23. In addition to the numerous people affected on Rhodes, more than 2,500 individuals on Corfu were evacuated, and residents of villages in southern Evia faced danger as strong winds fueled the flames.
Climate Predictions and Fire Trends
Though fires are common in Greece, it is expected that fire-prone weather fueled by heat will become more frequent with global warming. The extreme fire season of 2021 followed severe heat, and the number of fires and the area burned in Greece were significantly above average. Experts predict the current heat wave to become the longest in Greece’s history, with temperatures surpassing 40°C (104°F) for consecutive days in late July. The area devastated by fires is over double the average for this time of year.
NASA’s Aid and Data Supply
NASA’s Earth Applied Sciences Disasters program has been engaged to aid with the Greek fires, answering a request from the World Central Kitchen for data and imagery of the fire’s location and effects to help their humanitarian efforts in establishing kitchens for those impacted. The team will upload maps and data products on its open-access mapping portal as new information is made available.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Greek wildfires 2023
What caused the wildfires on the Greek islands in 2023?
A prolonged heatwave in Greece during July 2023 led to widespread wildfires, prompting mass evacuations across the affected islands.
Who provided satellite imagery of the fires on the Greek islands?
The satellite imagery was provided by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8. The monitoring of the fires was carried out by NASA-affiliated scientists.
What resources were used to track the spread of the fires?
The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensor on the NASA-NOAA Suomi NPP satellite was used by NASA-affiliated scientists to track the fires’ spread.
What was the impact of the fires on the Greek islands?
Tens of thousands of locals and tourists were forced to evacuate due to the wildfires. Severe fires also broke out on the Greek mainland and the islands of Corfu and Evia.
What measures were taken for the evacuees from the fire-stricken areas?
Many evacuees sought refuge in makeshift shelters like schools, gymnasiums, and docked ships. Some people in coastal villages boarded coast guard vessels to reach safety.
What role did NASA play during the Greek wildfires?
NASA’s Earth Applied Sciences Disasters program was activated to assist with the fires in Greece, responding to a request for data and imagery of the fires’ location and impacts to inform humanitarian efforts.
Are wildfires a common occurrence in Greece?
While fires are not unusual in Greece, heat-stoked fire weather is projected to become more common as the planet warms due to climate change.
How does the current heat wave compare to previous ones in Greece?
Experts believe the current heat wave could become Greece’s longest on record, with temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F) for days on end in late July 2023.
More about Greek wildfires 2023
- NASA Earth Applied Sciences Disasters Program
- Understanding Wildfires
- Climate Projections and Fire Patterns
- Information on Greek Climate
- Landsat 8 Satellite
- Heatwaves and Global Warming
- VIIRS sensor on the NASA-NOAA Suomi NPP satellite
