27/07/2018 (Agence Europe) – On 24 July, the Greek General Secretariat for Civil Protection activated the rapid mapping component of the EU civil protection mechanism (EMS) of the European Earth observation programme Copernicus after two forest fires broke out in the region of Attica, the European Commission announced in a press release dated Thursday 26 July. The programme showed that the stricken areas extended over more than 3,200 hectares, according to the aggregated data released on Thursday 26 July. These data have allowed the Greek authorities to fight the spread of the fires, which have left more than 80 people dead and caused over 700 more to be evacuated so far. The Commission has announced a series of actions to support the Greek authorities in their reconstruction efforts (see other article and EUROPE 12069). The maps can be consulted here: https://bit.ly/2NPAQBH . (PH)