Water pouring began at the first light of day after another difficult night on the huge fire fronts in Western Attica and to Bathhouse.

Civil Protection Forces, firefighters, volunteers, Armed Forces units, members of the security forces and all relevant agencies battled the flames through the night, making every effort to contain the flames.

According to the fire department, the efforts of the forces were focused on preventing the fire from passing the Athens-Corinth highway

The fire that occurred on Monday at Dervenohoria moved on Tuesday towards Mandra, passing through many settlements, charring houses and vehicles. On Wednesday morning it moves to the limits of the national highway.

The settlements of Panorama, Paleochori, Pournari, Agia Sotira, Nea Zoi, Neos Pontos, Loutropyrgos, Ano Vlychada, Othona and Eutaxia were evacuated.

Strong ground forces, 5 aircraft and 8 helicopters, including one for coordination, are operating in Western Attica.

As the press representative of the Fire Department, deputy fire chief Yannis Artopioos, told APE-MBE, the fire is moving southwest towards Vlychada, while the fire from Bathhouse east of Agios Charalambos. Both fires, explained the same source, follow a course towards the sea.

Speaking to SKAI 100.3, the deputy governor of Corinth Haris Vytiniotis reported that the front of the fire is at a safe distance of at least 1,000 meters from the refinery facilities. He also said that the danger points of the fire have not changed since yesterday and no other areas have been evacuated other than those that were ordered to be evacuated last night.

Strong ground forces, 4 aircraft and 3 helicopters are operating in Loutraki.

Shortly before 7 yesterday afternoon, the settlement of Glykia Zoi near Motor Oil was evacuated, while at noon the residents of the settlements of Panorama and Agios Charalambos Loutrakiou were requested to evacuate. Yesterday, a warning message via 112 was sent to the residents of Nea Peramos, inviting them to stay ready and follow the instructions of the authorities.

In immediate readiness if required, there are five coast guard boats and private boats in the area of ​​Loutropyrgos Elefsina due to the fire. Also, three other floating and private boats of various types are on standby in Agios Theodoros, to provide assistance if required, due to the occurrence of a fire in the area.

By order of the Traffic Police, both streams of the N.E.O. Athens – Corinth

Fire in Rhodes

A fire broke out shortly after 19:00 in a forest area in the Embona region of Rhodes. According to the latest update on Wednesday morning, the fire is burning in the center of the island, between the settlements of Apollon and Laerma without threatening residential areas.

They operate 86 firefighters, foot units, 28 vehicles, 3 aircraft and 3 helicopters.

Very high fire risk for six regions of the country

The personnel of the fire services throughout the territory remain on general alert, in order to deal with the increased service demands that have arisen due to the large number of fires, as well as the very high risk of fire (risk category 4), which is also predicted for today, Wednesday 19 July 2023, according to the Fire Risk Prediction Map issued by the General Secretariat of Civil Protection.

Specifically, a very high risk of fire (category 4) is predicted for the following areas:

– Region of Attica (including the island of Kythira)

– Region of Central Greece (PE Boeotia, PE Evia)

– Peloponnese Region (Corinthia Region, Argolis Region, Laconia Region)

– South Aegean Region (Cyclades)

– North Aegean Region (Lesvos Region, Chios Region, Samos Region, Ikaria Region, Psaro Region)

– Region of Crete

The Fire Department implements the 2nd Stage of Operational Readiness of the PS, which, among other things, provides for aerial surveillance patrols, as well as patrols by fire, police and military forces.

At the same time, for the above areas, the Civil Protection Action Plan is being implemented to deal with risks due to forest fires, according to which, among other things, the measure of the preventive ban on vehicle traffic and the stay of excursionists in national forests, forests and “vulnerable” » areas.

The General Secretariat of Civil Protection has informed all the competent government agencies involved, as well as the regions and municipalities of the areas located in the very high risk zone, so that they are on increased readiness to take measures of their competence.

At the same time, Civil Protection and the Fire Service appeal to citizens:

1. Be especially careful and avoid actions in the open air that can cause a fire by negligence, such as:

i. The burning of dry grasses and branches or cleaning residues.

ii. The use of machines that cause sparks such as circular saws, welding devices.

iii. The use of outdoor grills.

iv. Smoking bees.

v. Throwing lit cigarettes, etc.

2. To monitor the information on the prevention of forest fires that is available on the website and on the official accounts of the Fire Brigade on Facebook and Twitter, as well as self-protection instructions on the website of the General Secretariat of Civil Protection www.civilprotection.gr.

3. In the event that they notice a fire, they should immediately notify the Fire Service by dialing 199.

It is reminded that during the fire prevention season burning of fields is prohibited.

Finally, all citizens are requested to be particularly careful and in the event of a fire, for their own safety, to faithfully follow the instructions of the competent authorities.