A Canadair CL 215 on the tarmac.

Meet Greece’s Water-Bombers

We visited Elefsina’s air base where fire fighting planes are stationed.

Photos: A. Christofilopoulos / Words: Eliza Gkritsi

During the hot summer months, Greece faces a major wildfire problem. Heat, sun and unkempt forests make a hazardous combination. According to data by the Greek Fire Department, during the summer months, 4,558 fires raged on average every year from 2000 to 2015.

Part of Greece’s response to this natural disaster are 8 CL-215 Scooper airplanes. Between 1975 and 1990, the Greek government bought sixteen Scoopers from Canadair, a Canadian company. Over the years, eight were lost.

The planes were acquired by Greek authorities between 1975 and 1990.

The planes can carry 5,444kg of water and can take part in search and rescue missions. However, they are only operable under good visibility and cannot fly amongst clouds. Their base is at Elefsina, half an hour outside Athens.

On July 1st, they had to be flown to other airports, because of the heatwave. There is a limit at an environemental temperature of 38 degrees Celsius, over which the Scoopers face problems at take off.

The cockpit.
Wing Commander Mr. Tsoumeleas, Commander of the 355 Regular Transportation Squadron
In the Hangar.

This article was originally published in Popaganda.gr

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AthensLive

AthensLive is a non-profit, on-the-ground source for stories from Athens and throughout Greece.

A. Christofilopoulos

Written by

Documenting Life

AthensLive

AthensLive is a non-profit, on-the-ground source for stories from Athens and throughout Greece.

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