UK Firefighters Battle Blazes in Greece with Chainsaws and Drones
A tough team of firefighters from across the UK are on the frontline in Greece, chopping down trees and clearing fire breaks to protect villages and power supplies from spreading wildfires.
Cutting Firebreaks to Stop Embers
Using chainsaws and hand tools, the crew are carving out clean fire breaks to block embers sneaking into untouched areas. Their work is making a real difference around key electrical feeds in the villages.
Eyes in the Sky Spot Fire Threats
With Sky News embedded alongside, the team deployed drones to survey fire movement from above. Drone operators from Lancashire and London Fire Brigades are also carrying out aerial thermal scans to identify hotspots and emerging risks.
Fast-Changing Weather Adds to Challenge
The winds in Greece’s Peloponnese region are unpredictable, shifting speed and direction. That’s forcing the firefighters to constantly reassess the fire front and tweak their battle plans on the fly.
Strong UK Squad Working in Tough Conditions
The firefighters, drawn from Merseyside, Lancashire, South Wales, London, and the West Midlands, are working in shifts to beat heat exhaustion. They’re now focused on the Ilia region in western Peloponnese, carefully assessing weather and site risks before swinging into action.
“All members of the deployment are fit and well,” a spokesman said. “They are operating on rotation to safeguard against heat and exhaustion.”
The 21-strong team was sent at the request of the Home Secretary after a formal appeal for international aid from Greece.
