On August 21, 2025, a GFFF hiking team (GFFF), consisting of 20 forestry units (EMME), is preparing to depart from Eleusis to assist in the ongoing fires in Astouria, Spain. Experienced executives of the 1st EMME board the C-27 with a final destination for Genestoso. There they will be with their Spanish colleagues for five days, fighting to save the village as the flames were threateningly approaching the first houses. They are headed by the 28 -year -old deputy, Nikolaos Paisios, who from northwestern Spain was found on the seats of the European Parliament, representing the entire Greek mission and was applauded by MEPs when European Commission President Ursula von Dero Astourias.

“It was a moment of honor and emotion. Ms. von der Laienne’s report was not only about us in Spain, but all Greek firefighters and forestry of the 21 special units who fight across the country. While we are talking, another mission of EMEME is in Corsica, in the context of the European Pre -Environment Program. We continue with a sense of duty our mission which is the protection of human life, property and environment. “According to Mr Paisios speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.

As the mission to Astouria explains, it was an experience in extremely difficult conditions. “High temperatures, strong winds, very flammable vegetation and mountains that reached 2000 meters, making access and coordination even more difficult”he notes while adding that the biggest challenge for them was the speed at which the fire spread. “We had to move quickly, organized and with complete concentration to protect the villages and limit damage to the forest”he says.

As the flames had come very close to the first houses, the Greek forestry in full coordination with the Spaniards set up immediate lines of defense around the village in order to protect and save it. Those moments as he describes in the RES-MEE were one of the “most critical of the mission”. “The flames had come very close to the first houses and we knew that there was no room for mistakes. In complete coordination with the Spaniards, we set up immediate lines of defense around the village and at the same time the aerial and earthly means entered the battle. We even used the method of downing to create a “wall” of protection. We worked incessantly, with calm and determination, even though the conditions were extremely difficult. The moment we realized that the village was saved was indescribable, we felt huge relief and great pride. “points out Mr. Paisios.

What happened during their stay in Spain will remain engraved forever in their memory and in their hearts as the subpressor notes, the reception of the Spaniards really moved them. “Our Spanish colleagues embraced from the first moment, as if we were their own people. They showed us confidence and respect for our work. The inhabitants will never forget how they thanked us, many with tears in their eyes. These moments stay inside you and give you the strength to keep going »notes.

Regarding the methods they developed and the similarities found in the conditions in Greece and Spain, Mr Paisios stresses that there were several similarities while stressing that their common European training has given a common “language” to the field. “In both countries the fire exploits the wind and the slopes to spread quickly. The landscape and vegetation were very close to what we come across in Greece, which helped us. We used the well -known methods: firefighting zones, cracking, aerial throws and of course ground businesses. The Spaniards moved in the same way and this made our cooperation easier. It is obvious that common European training has given us a common ‘language’ in the field ‘explains.

Finally, Mr. Paisios points out that the fires over the years have changed as they have become more intense and more unpredictable.

“They are more intense, they spread faster and are more unpredictable than old. Climate change makes the summers warmer and dry, resulting in the fire season growing. This means fires that threaten communities much more directly. That is why cooperation at European level and common exercises is so important; only in this way do we constantly improve our readiness and effectiveness. “he concludes.