The picture is better on the fire fronts of Western Attica, Loutraki and Sparta with the firefighting forces continuing to fight to deal with flare-ups and bring the fires under control. The picture is more difficult in Rhodes, where the fire is still raging.

Dropping water from aerial vehicles at the first light of day gives hope that today will be a better day to put out the devastating fires.

Sta Dervenohoriaaccording to the latest information, a great effort is being made to extinguish active fires within the perimeter of the fire.

In the Bathhouseaccording to the Fire Department, the fire is under control, although there are small outbreaks.

The biggest concern, according to what the press representative of the Fire Brigade, Deputy Fire Chief Yiannis Artopioos, is about the fire that broke out on Tuesday in a forest area in Rose.

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

Regarding the front in Western Attica Mr. Artophios stated 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. Strong forces of the fire brigade remain at the scene to guard and extinguish small fires within the perimeter of the fire.

They operate 250 firefighters, 8 teams of walking departments and 75 vehicles.

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

Regarding the fire at Leasement of Sparta Mr. Baker stated that it is in recessionwhile confirming that a helicopter operating in the area made an emergency 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.