Experts stress the importance of prevention and suppression as devastating wildfires continue to ravage Greece.

The affluent Athens suburb of Varympompi bears scars of destruction, its hills marked by charred rows of trees following devastating wildfires in August. Among the burnt trunks, a few pines display faint signs of life, with pale brown branches contrasting sharply against their blackened bases. Wedding venues in the vicinity lie in ruins, and the air remains heavy with the scent of ash and dust.

In a 12-square-kilometer area, two workers clear debris and scorched trees. “We’ll keep the ones in decent condition, hoping they’ll grow again,” explained Agilos, one of the workers, as he held a burnt pine cone.

A seed from another tree landed on his arm, prompting a moment of hope. “This is promising—it shows that renewal is possible,” he said. “But these trees need time to produce more seeds before the next fire. If that doesn’t happen, the pines might disappear entirely.”