Nice to meet you — I’m Nikos and I come from Heraklion. It’s a city on the island of Crete, a place where nature is an essential part of our lives.

In recent years, we have seen how extreme heat and drought increase the risk of wildfires.

Before coming to Madrid, I learned a lot about them — how to prevent them and how to act when they happen.

Let me tell you a little more!

Wildfires: learning to prevent them

A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire that occurs in areas with vegetation, such as forests, grasslands or scrubland.

Global warming dries out soils and plants, making it easier for wildfires to start and spread.

If I live in a city, can forest fires affect me?

That’s right! Even if you are far away from the fire, smoke can reach cities and affect air quality hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away.

What can we do?

Be proactive

Work with your community to improve emergency preparedness and response. Are there emergency and evacuation plans in your neighbourhood?

React

Time is gold! Acting fast can save lives and reduce damage. If you notice warning signs such as smoke or flames, contact the emergency services as soon as possible.

Learn

Staying informed helps us act more safely.
Share what you learn with your community.

And I give you the letter
“L” for Learning!