Urgent need for forest protection
Satellite analysis released by the METEO unit of the National Observatory of Athens has confirmed that the destruction of forest vegetation due to wildfires causes a notable increase in ground surface temperatures, even nearly a year after the fire.
Using data from European Earth observation satellites, METEO compared ground surface temperatures from two key dates: July 17, 2024, just before the devastating wildfire in the Varnava and Penteli regions, and June 26, 2025, approximately eleven months after the blaze.
The analysis revealed that while general variations of 1 to 2 °C were observed in many areas — likely due to natural weather fluctuations — the temperature increase in the burned zones was far more dramatic. In those regions, ground surface temperatures were up to 10 °C higher in 2025 compared to the previous summer before the wildfire.
This striking rise, according to METEO experts, is directly linked to the loss of forest plant cover, which plays a critical role in cooling the Earth's surface by providing shade and facilitating moisture evaporation.
“Despite the time that has passed since the fire, the loss of vegetation continues to have a strong impact on the region’s energy balance, resulting in sustained surface heating,” METEO stated.
The report emphasized that while the satellite data specifically measures ground surface temperature, similar — though somewhat smaller — increases are likely in air temperatures near the surface as well.
The findings underscore the long-term environmental consequences of wildfires, not only in terms of forest destruction but also in the alteration of local microclimates and disruption of the broader ecological balance.
METEO’s conclusion was clear: “The destruction of forest vegetation due to wildfire leads to a significant increase in ground temperature, with potential impacts on the microclimate and the broader ecological balance of the area.”
This research highlights the urgent need for forest protection, rapid reforestation, and climate resilience planning, especially as Southern Europe faces increasing wildfire threats due to climate change.
