Intense footprint leaves the forest fires In Greece in the composition of the atmosphere and the quality of the air, according to an analysis by the Atmohub coordinated by the NOA – REACT team of the IAADET/National Observatory of Athens. Although carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) from fires correspond to less than 5% of the country’s total annual emissions, during extreme episodes they are spectacular.

The Atmohub team notes that in recent years Greece has been facing increasingly frequent phenomena of extensive forest fires, enhanced by its impacts climate change. By mid -August 2025, they had recorded about 470,000 acres of burnt landwith 2025 ranking fifth place in the last two decades in terms of all burnt areas.

Among the areas affected this year are Ierapetra, Chios, Oropos, Rafina, Old Fokaia, Keratea, Feneos Corinth, Plitra Laconia, Kythera, Vonitsa, Achaia, Achaia, Achaia, Achaia, Arta

At the European Union level, in 2025, a record of burnt forest land is recorded with over 10 million acres. Spain, Cyprus, Germany and Slovakia have surpassed any previous annual record of the last 20 years, while Portugal and Spain remain the most affected countries, with more than 4 million acres burned.

According to recent data from the Copernicus atmosphere monitoring service (CAMS), this year’s CO2 broadcasts from forest fires in Europe have reached the highest level of the last 23 years.

Especially for Greece, from the beginning of 2025 until the end of August, black carbon emissions amounted to 685 tonnes, a level corresponding to the average of 2003-2024.

Impact of forest fires on the atmosphere

Forest fires significantly downgrade air quality and affect public health, especially when smoke is transferred to residential areas. Two of the most important gaseous pollutants are black carbon and carbon monoxide (CO).

Black carbon, as a very thin particle (PM2.5), can penetrate deep into the lungs and circulatory system, causing or deteriorating respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Carbon monoxide, at high concentrations, is highly toxic and harmful to human health.

In addition, carbon dioxide (CO2), a basic greenhouse gas, remains in the atmosphere for over a hundred years, contributing to planet heating and climate change.

In cases of megapyrians, tobacco can reach high heights in the stratosphere, where it remains for months or up to one year, affecting the stratospheric ozone. The tobacco particles in the stratosphere diffuses solar radiation, enhancing the whitewashed of the planet and reducing the flow of radiation to the ground, which can lead to a temporary reduction in temperature.

Broadcasts and statistics for Greece

According to data from the global fire assimilation system (GFAS) and the National CO2 Census, forest fire emissions in Greece are usually smaller than anthropogenic, but in extreme years reach up to 17% of total national emissions (such as 2021).

The analysis shows that the years with the largest burned areas are associated with increased emissions, although the intensity and features of the fire can lead to disproportionately high emissions in relation to the extent.

Three features for Greece is 2007 (extensive fires and high emissions), 2021 (Great Disaster in Evia) and 2023 (with fire in Evros, the largest in Europe’s history).

As the researchers point out, the burnt area is a key factor in the volume of emissions, but intensity, type of fuel and local conditions can boost or mitigate the overall effects.

In terms of black carbon emissions, the years 2007, 2021 and 2023 record the highest levels, with 4,960, 2,844 and 2,406 tonnes respectively.

Role of Remote Smacking and Technology

An important role in monitoring the tobacco transport is played by the National Observatory of Athens in Antikythera. The station, with the advanced Lidar Pollyxt system, records with a high resolution the distribution of suspended particles by fires.

Measurements help to evaluate the quality of air and impact on health, while the observatory is a tool for understanding tobacco transport and strengthen protection policies.

At the same time, satellite observations and image analysis techniques allow timely detection, mapping and assessment of the impact of fires. Indicative is the case of the fire in Chios in June 2025, where satellite data captured the transport of tobacco from the island to Crete due to strong northern winds.

New Timely Warning Service

In 2026 it is expected that the early warning service for tobacco from forest fires is initiated. Using data from CAMS, the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellite and the FlexPart Predictive model, the service will provide timely information to citizens and states of tobacco transport and health impacts.