The nests of rare birds of prey are at risk – In three places the hiking units are trying – In two waves the aerial vehicles with the first light of day
Absolute devastation… Words cannot describe the fire damage in the virgin forest of Dadia, in Evros. The fire that is burning for the second day in the municipality of Soufli, foreshadows a really difficult night. With constant flare-ups and changes in the direction of the wind, the fire front is driven south towards Lefkimi, north towards Dadia, and at the same time west, towards the central part of the protection core of the Dadia National Park, where the nests of the rare birds of prey are also located.
According to officials of the forestry service and the mayor of Soufli, Panagiotis Kalakikos, the fire is following an uncontrollable course, mainly due to the special relief of the area, which, combined with the density and type of vegetation, greatly complicates the operation of extinguishing it by the ground firefighting forces, despite the strong concentration of the latter (320 firefighters with 68 vehicles, 13 groups of walking departments with the assistance and volunteer firefighters, volunteer civil protection groups, project machinery and pedestrian units of the E.S. and water-bearing OTAs).
In the fire in the forest of Dadia, the fire brigade is currently making installations in the three places where the fire broke out, outside the perimeter (north, north-west and west). Pedestrians and EMODE have been deployed and have already caught the northern part. They will work until morning. Aim to return to the original perimeter.
At first light the local aerials begin (2 PZLs, 2 Tractors, 1 Mi8 and 2 Chinooks). 3 Ericksons with 20′ various, 2 CL415 and an AB214 will follow. The aerials will be supplemented with an Erickson and an AB214 with EMODE from Elefsina. A BK117 coordinator will be flying in each wave.
The major operation to extinguish the fire that broke out yesterday in Dadia in Evros is in progress, as stated by the Press Representative of the Fire Department, Giannis Artopaios, among other things in the emergency briefing on the forest fires.
Fighting the flames for a second 24 hours in Dadia – Great resurgence on the south-west front
The fire showed a large resurgence in the southwestern part of the fire front. The forces have been further strengthened and the aim remains to contain it in order to save the virgin forest in the area.
According to the representative of the Fire Department, the front is moving west towards virgin forest areas, while there is difficulty in extinguishing the fire due to the fact that in the area there is a large volume of fuel consisting of black pine, trachea pine and other deciduous species and the approach to the site is difficult (poor road network since the area is protected).
Watch video from e-evros:
According to the latest data, 320 firefighters with 13 groups of pedestrian departments and 68 vehicles operate at the site, while 10 aircraft and 9 helicopters operate periodically. Support is provided by volunteer firefighters, volunteer Civil Protection groups, project machinery and infantry units of the Hellenic Army, the Forestry Service and local water bodies.
At the same time, all the Fire Services of the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace have been put on general alert.
So far from the Army (in addition to the aerial 4 CL-415, 2 PZL, 2 MI8, 2 AT8T, 1 B-214) have been allocated additionally:
- 2 CH-47Ds
- 6 Earth movers
- 1 Loader
- 3 M/S 290GD
- Departments of “DEFKALIA” and Army Engineers
Local investigative offices, as well as Divisions of the Directorate for Combating Arson Crimes (D.A.E.E.) are investigating the causes of the fires.
In addition, Mr. Artophios referred to the rise in temperature in the next few days in most of the country, appealing to the people who belong to vulnerable groups, to be especially careful in the coming days: “We pay attention to the people who belong to vulnerable groups, to be particularly careful in the coming days, in order to avoid health problems, such as thermal exhaustion and heatstroke, which may be caused due to the high temperatures that will prevail, and of course these conditions favor to the maximum degree the initiation and occurrence of forest fires” noted Mr. Baker.
At the same time, given that tomorrow there is a very high risk of fire for the Region of Attica and Evia, according to the Fire Risk Prediction Map, Mr. Artophios emphasized: “We do not light a fire for any reason! We do not do hot work! We are very careful! If we see smoke or fire, immediately call 112 or 199.”
Here is the full statement from the Fire Department spokesman:
“Good evening from the Fire Department Operations Center.
In the last week there were 393 forest fires. Today there were 59 forest fires with the most important in Megara, Ilia, Lesvos, Artemisa Attica and Andritsaina Ilia.
Most of all the fires were dealt with immediately at their initial stage.
At the same time in the last week we faced 800 urban fires.
About the fire that concerns us the most, in the forest of Dadia, in Soufli Evros, the operations center of the Fire Department was informed yesterday at noon at 14:28. At the moment, 320 firefighters are operating with 13 groups of infantry departments and 68 vehicles, a large number of volunteer firefighters and volunteer vehicles, while 10 aircraft and 9 helicopters were deployed for aerial firefighting today from the first light and gradually deployed.
The extinguishing operation is in progress. All the Fire Services of the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace have been put on general alert since yesterday. At the same time, the Civil Protection forces provide every assistance. Working with us are volunteer groups of Civil Protection, the General Staff of National Defense which has provided 7 project machines and 1 “Deucalion” team consisting of 36 executives, the Forestry Service, and the local government which has provided a large number of water vehicles.
The general characteristics of this particular fire are related to a large volume of fuel, consisting of black pine and Scots pine and other deciduous species. At the same time, we are operating in conditions characterized by sharp changes in the wind, there is difficulty in approach due to the intense topography and the poor road network since the area is protected. All this, combined with the prolonged drought, favors the rapid spread of the fire.
At this time, the fire front is moving westward into virgin forest and major efforts are being made to stem its momentum. All the forces involved are working to save one of the most ecologically sensitive national parks in the Mediterranean.
A little while ago, at 18:35, a fire broke out in the Fanari area in Andritsaina, Ilia. 56 firefighters with 2 groups of pedestrians and 23 vehicles are trying to deal with it. The intervention of the fire brigade was immediate and the fire has been contained.
According to the Emergency Deterioration of Weather Bulletin issued today Friday July 22, 2022 by the National Weather Service warm air masses from western Europe and the coast of northern Africa moving towards our region will cause temperatures to rise over the next few days for the most part of the country. The areas that will be affected are mainly the western, central and northern country, as well as the islands of the south-eastern Aegean and the Dodecanese. We draw attention to people who belong to vulnerable groups to be especially careful in the coming days, in order to avoid health problems, such as thermal exhaustion and heatstroke, which may be caused due to the high temperatures that will prevail and of course these conditions favor the maximum extent the start and spread of the fire.
Also, according to the Fire Risk Forecast Map for tomorrow, Saturday, July 23, 2022, a very high risk of fire is predicted for the Region of Attica and Evia.
We emphasize once again: We do not light a fire for any reason! We do not do hot work! We are very careful! If you see smoke or fire, call 112 or 199 immediately.
A newer update will follow for each development.
Thank you”.
Fire at the Lighthouse of Andritsaina Ilia
Mr. Artopioos noted that the fire is now confined to a forest area in the Fanari area of Andritsaina, in Ilia.
56 firefighters with two fire brigades and 23 vehicles are still working at the scene to bring the fire under full control and deal with any flare-ups, while four firefighting planes and a helicopter were spraying water by sunset.
The fire had a course towards the villages of Mylos and Fanari.
#Fire in a wooded area in the Fanari area of Andritsaina Ilia. Ground and air forces were mobilized.
— Fire Department (@pyrosvestiki) July 22, 2022
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