In several places in Greece there have been large forest fires this summer. The fires are so powerful and intense that it is very difficult to control them. The Greek Civil Defense states that most of the firefighting aircraft and helicopters are working on extinguishing work. Now there is also a warning that a heat wave will reach the country and make conditions worse. Now several European countries are sending crews with equipment to Greece to help put out the fires and stop them from spreading. One of those who will travel to Greece is Ove Stokkeland, who is the fire chief in Telemark on a daily basis. He is helping to pack the last boxes of equipment, which the firefighters will use when they arrive. Packs of salt tablets Stokkeland believes it is important that they bring their own equipment, so that they can start working as soon as they arrive. In addition, there is special equipment that must be packed for this operation. – Everyone will walk around with a 2.5 liter bag of liquid. We will use salts and additives to maintain the fluid balance in the body. Then there is, not least, sunscreen. We are not used to smearing ourselves with factor 50 when we put out forest fires in Norway, but we think it will be necessary down there. The Directorate for Social Security and Emergency Preparedness, DSB, is sending two teams of forest fire personnel to Greece. A total of 27 people will go. The crews mainly come from Telemark. – First and foremost to gain valuable experience and training on forest fires, which are of a different nature than here in Norway, says assistant director of DSB, Elisabeth Askim. For the first time in Europe, Stokkeland is happy that they can take part in the action, where they are helping Greek firefighters. At the same time, it will be a special situation, for which it is not possible to fully prepare. – The challenges will also ensure that they take valuable learning home with them to Norway, he says. The Norwegian crews must take care to secure populated areas, which may be exposed if the fires spread. – This is the first time in Europe that forces are deployed in areas before a fire has started. But it is very much on the agenda. You see that when the heat waves come, there are so many fires that you might as well send resources at once. They will be used. The first team leaves on 30 July, and is replaced 14 days later by the second team. Fire chief Ove Stokkeland (in the middle) is among those who will travel to Greece to help fight forest fires. Photo: Lorentz Berg / news
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Norwegian firefighters to help extinguish forest fires in Greece – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
