Firefighters across most of the country have been placed on high alert due to an incoming heatwave that will be accompanied by winds of up to 4 Beaufort in several regions. This “explosive” weather combination creates ideal conditions for wildfires, prompting fire service headquarters to order continuous patrols both on the ground and from the air. Specialized fire service drones, along with other state agencies and private forest firefighting organizations, are conducting surveillance of high-risk areas to detect forest fires at the earliest possible moment.
Beyond the Athens basin, exceptionally high temperatures are expected in Thessaly, Fthiotida, Boeotia, Argolida, and Evros. Firefighter readiness in Evros is particularly heightened. Service leadership wants to prevent another disaster similar to the one two years ago when the pristine Dadia forest was destroyed by a fire whose cause – whether started by illegal immigrants and smugglers or other non-human factors – remains unconfirmed to this day.
Heatwave response: DIAS police units join forest area patrols
Forest area patrols include officers from the DIAS special police unit and other services, as well as specialized volunteer forest firefighting teams with excellent local knowledge. In Evros, soldiers also participate in patrols, having successfully collaborated with police over the past month to prevent illegal immigrant entries. Immigration flows are relatively reduced, as smugglers now prefer maritime routes due to the Evros fence.
Patrols in Parnitha, Hymettus, Penteli, Marathon and beyond
In Attica, daily patrols cover Parnitha, Hymettus, Penteli, Marathon, Nea Makri, Aspróvyrgos and other “suspicious” areas. Identity checks on individuals found within controlled zones are continuous, while HEDNO crews have been placed on increased readiness to address potential power grid problems.
