For one more night, fire brigade forces and volunteers fight hard to bring under control and prevent flare-ups in the fire fronts in Rhodes, Western Attica and Loutraki.

The biggest concern at the moment, according to what the press representative of the Fire Department, Deputy Fire Chief Yiannis Artophios, is about the fire that broke out on Tuesday (18/7) in a forest area in Rhodes.

As Mr. Artophios pointed out, this is a very difficult fire as it is in a difficult place while burning trees that are very tall, over 15 meters, which makes the work of the ground forces that operate there even more difficult.

Regarding the front in Western Attica, Mr. Artopioos said that the picture is much better compared to the previous days and there is moderate optimism about its outcome, but he noted that there is no room for complacency. As he pointed out, there is no active front within the perimeter of the fire, while strong forces are there to prevent the possibility of a flare-up. Nevertheless, there are fires outside the perimeter, but the data so far are manageable.

In Loutraki the fire is in remission, but even there strong forces remain as there is always the risk of rekindling.

Regarding the fire in Lefkochoma Spartis, Mr. Artophios stated that it is in remission, while he confirmed that a helicopter operating in the area made a forced landing without any injuries to the crew.

High risk also on Thursday for the regions of Attica, Central Greece and Peloponnese

A very high risk of fire (risk category 4) is predicted for Thursday, July 20, for the regions of Attica, Central Greece and the Peloponnese, according to the Fire Risk Prediction Map issued by the General Secretariat of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr).

The parks in Attica are closed

Due to the expected high temperatures, Tritsi Park, Areos Field, Finopoulou Hill and Attiko ‘Alsos will be closed, according to the decision of the Attica Region.

For the same reasons, the cultural events of the Region scheduled for today and the following days at the theater of Attikos ‘Alsos, “Katina Paxinos”, are also postponed.

Aid is coming from abroad

On Thursday (20/7) two Air-Tractor type firefighting aircraft are expected to arrive from Israel following the relevant request submitted by our country at a bilateral level to the competent Israeli authorities for a more effective response to the forest fires.

In addition to the request to the European Civil Protection Mechanism for aerial assistance, Greece submitted on Tuesday (18/7) an additional request to send infantry units and firefighting vehicles.

The activation of the European Mechanism was immediate and the following countries responded – also immediately – to the Greek request:

• Poland, which provided an infantry division with 149 firefighters, as well as 49 vehicles

• Romania, which provided an infantry unit with 40 firefighters, as well as 5 vehicles

• Slovakia, which offered a foot division with 31 firefighters and 15 vehicles.

The first firefighters from Romania arrived at the military airport of Elefsina, while the relevant missions, accompanied by fire engines, are expected to be in Greece in their entirety by Friday.

With reference to the European aerial assistance, it is recalled that on Tuesday a total of four CL-415 aircraft were sent to our country through rescEU, two from Italy and two from France, which normally participated on Wednesday in extinguishing the fires.

It is noted that the teams of firefighters from Romania and Malta who were already in our country participating in the Pre-Positioning program of the European Civil Protection Mechanism are working alongside the Greek firefighters these days.