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Wildfires: Tough battles as 112 alerts issued

The Fire Service is on high alert as a barrage of wildfires broke out across various regions of the country on Friday afternoon. The prolonged heatwave and extremely low humidity levels have created ideal conditions…

Wildfires: Tough battles as 112 alerts issued
Greece
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The Fire Service is on high alert as a barrage of wildfires broke out across various regions of the country on Friday afternoon. The prolonged heatwave and extremely low humidity levels have created ideal conditions for fire spread, making the work of firefighting forces even more challenging.

Read: Giannis Kefalogiannis: “Zero tolerance for arsonists and negligent citizens”

At this moment, battles against the flames are being fought in at least five areas: Thesprotia, Messinia, Ioannina, Ancient Olympia, and Halkidiki. Forces are being continuously reinforced, while aerial means are operating where feasible. Authorities are calling on citizens to avoid actions that may cause ignition and to follow Civil Protection guidelines.

Major wildfire at Ancient Olympia – Aerial means deployed

A major fire is ongoing at Ancient Olympia, specifically in a forested area in the Agios Georgios region. According to patrisnews.com, an alarm has been raised in Spartouli Panopoulou of the Ancient Olympia municipality due to a wildfire that has broken out in a forest area. The fire is burning dense vegetation, including scrubland, and is spreading rapidly due to weather conditions.


Strong Fire Service forces are operating at the scene, while reinforcements have already been requested.

Evacuations in Gardiki, Thesprotia

A major fire is burning in the Gardiki area of Thesprotia. According to the Fire Service, the fire is close to houses, while 112 sent evacuation messages. Specifically, it calls on those in the areas of Gardiki, Skandalo, and Mandrotopos to move toward Paramythia. The Fire Service was notified of the fire at 1:50 PM, while 25 firefighters with 1 ground team from the 5th EMODE, 8 vehicles, 3 aircraft and 1 helicopter have been mobilized for suppression. Support is also provided by municipal water trucks.

112 alert sounded in Messinia too

A fire also broke out on Friday afternoon in agricultural land in the Neromylos area of Messinia. The fire is burning southeast of the Neromylos area and is close to the settlement.


30 firefighters with 2 ground teams from the 9th EMODE, volunteers, 6 vehicles and 4 aircraft were mobilized. At 1:43 PM, 112 alerted the area, calling on Neromylos residents to move toward the Kazarma area and follow authorities’ instructions.

Fire in Ioannina

A wildfire also broke out in Pedini, Ioannina, in grassland. A strong firefighting force was mobilized for its suppression, while a helicopter is conducting water drops.

Strong firefighting forces in Halkidiki too

A fire is ongoing in agricultural crops in the Neochoraki area of the Nea Propontida municipality in Halkidiki. For its suppression, 30 firefighters with ten fire vehicles and two ground teams were mobilized, while drops from a firefighting helicopter are expected to begin.

Civil Protection: Several regions on alert Saturday – Which areas are in the fire danger zone

Several regions of Greece are in alert status (level 5) for tomorrow Saturday, including Attica, according to the Fire Risk Prediction Map issued by the General Secretariat of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr). Additionally, Crete is at very high risk (Level 4), while Northern Greece is at high fire risk (Level 3).

The Attica Region – including Kythira – Central Greece with emphasis on Boeotia and Evia, as well as the entire Peloponnese are placed on alert. The risk prediction map resembles a war bulletin, as red zones spread dangerously across densely populated and particularly sensitive areas. However, the danger is not limited to alert zones. Very high fire risk (category 4) is also faced by other areas: Western Greece, Phthiotida, Phocida, Zakynthos, Magnesia, almost the entire North Aegean, Crete, as well as Thrace with Rodopi and Evros. Fire makes no distinctions and the territory now resembles an extensive inflammable field. Conditions are such that even the slightest mistake can lead to uncontrollable situations.

Citizens called to absolute vigilance – What is strictly prohibited

Civil Protection has already notified competent services, Regions and Municipalities to be placed on increased operational readiness. Fire teams, aerial means and security forces are on standby for the slightest incident. But the success of this battle does not depend only on the state. It depends on all of us.

From Saturday morning, any careless movement in the countryside can prove catastrophic. Using a barbecue, throwing a cigarette, a chainsaw in the field, even smoking bees

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