Is anyone going to Greece this year? After the fires?

[Icystars]

I’m looking at Greece right now but my husband says fires are likely again this year and he’s not sure if he wants to go due to the devastation last year.

Yes. In May and September.

Greece is a very big country. There have always been wildfires. There always will be. It's actually part of the eco-system in many countries. We have had wildfires most years around the area I live - is he also avoiding England?

Ps. I went twice last year too. Didn't see a single wildfire.

you could argue that the safest place is where they had the fires last year. The dry vegetation will have been burnt away by last year's fires and all the locals will be extra vigulant and not having things like BBQ's and stubbing fags out.

The locals are usually extra careful about such things - they are used to knowing the risk. It's the tourists who are more of a problem. Last year I told four different British tourists not to throw still lit cigarette stubs on the ground in a forest on one single day.

Wildfires occur every year around the Mediterranean. There's no good reason to avoid going to Greece because it had a few well-publicised fires in 2023, as opposed to the worst-affected countries of 2022 (Portugal and Spain) or those of 2021 (Turkey and Italy).

Yep. Northern Corfu. We went last year a week after the fires and it was lovely.

Friends of ours got badly caught up in the fires last year. It wouldn’t be my first choice.

This is his worry. He’s also wondering if the tourist areas are back to pretty much how they were before the fires.

No concerns for the poor people who actually live there then?

Going twice this year. Never even occurred to me to worry about the fires, except to hope the locals are getting back to some sort of normal as much as they can.

I don’t think your comment was necessary. I’m talking about how people feel as tourists at the moment. Perfectly valid to consider this.

Yes, in July.

I did consider the fires and ruled out a secluded rural villa inland. We're now staying in a small inland village but part of a small apartment complex. I figured that should there be fires we have the assistance of the locals.

I disagree . You can do both .

Jesus! “ i figured that should there be fires we have the assistance of the locals.” That’s even worse.
Look, theres absolutely nothing wrong in thinking about safety etc and returning will absolutely help boost the economy. But have a little compassion

Yes off to Kephalonia again. Was very worried last year but the local authorities were all over it with helicopters etc. Amazing place and would like to support local businesses to keep it going.

Yes, stayed on three islands last August and off to four islands this August. Love the Cyclades!

Sorry, where am I lacking compassion?

I'm expecting the apartment owners to give me the heads up if we could be at risk of fire, not rescue me from a burning building.

They have local knowledge and surprisingly enough I don't. Assistance comes in many forms.

The fires only affected a very small proportion of Greece and even on badly affected islands like Rhodes there were areas that were unaffected. If it’s going to make you it your DH anxious just pick an area that is not prone to fires eg the Cyclades don’t have much vegetation and never seem to get fires. Earlier in summer also has less chance of fires. We are going to Corfu this year and it hasn’t been a consideration.

We went to Rhodes after the fires last year in September. They were very quick and proactive at clearing and getting stuff up and running

We had a brilliant time it definitely didn't put us off.