Fire in Greece. Photo: Shutterstock The large fire that struck the Portos Germeon region in western Attica, the central region of Greece, not only left behind large areas of burned land, but also significantly changed the temperature of the land surface, according to an analysis of satellite data conducted by the METEO unit of the National Observatory of Athens.
The researchers compared land surface temperature data collected using the Landsat-9 satellite at two points in time when relatively similar weather conditions prevailed: on July 31, 2026, before the fire, and on August 16, a few days after it.
The findings indicate a dramatic increase in ground surface temperatures within the burned area. According to the analysis, temperatures in these areas were 12-14 degrees Celsius higher than before the fire.
According to the researchers, one of the main reasons is the loss of moisture and vegetation after the fire. Vegetation naturally helps cool the soil through shading and water evaporation. After it burns, the soil is directly exposed to solar radiation and heats up more quickly.
However, the researchers emphasize that this is about ground temperature, not air temperature. However, a significant change in ground temperature could also affect near-surface temperatures and the local microclimate.
The comparison between the two measurements also indicates differences of about 2-4 degrees in other areas, which may result from natural weather changes. The observatory notes that areas where particularly low temperatures were measured may be covered by clouds, which affects the satellite measurements.
The findings illustrate how large-scale wildfires can leave a significant environmental impact even after the flames are extinguished.