The latest emergency update on the forest fires was made today, July 19, 2023, at 10:30 p.m., by the Press Representative of the Fire Brigade, Deputy Fire Chief John Baker, from the National Coordination Center for Operations and Crisis Management in Marousi.

Here is the text of the update:

“Good evening from the Fire Department Operations Center.

The battle on the front lines of the fires continues by all Civil Protection forces mainly in Western Attica and Rhodes and all agencies are making every possible effort in the field to contain them.

The forest fire that broke out in Lefkohoma in Laconia is under control and 52 firefighters with 3 groups of pedestrian sections and 15 vehicles are working while 4 aircraft and 2 helicopters are working.

In the afternoon today, a man was arrested in Messinia who confessed to 3 different fires. He is currently being held and will be brought before the prosecutor tomorrow.

Taking into account the extremely urgent need to deal with the risk of fires throughout the territory, due to the extreme weather conditions that are expected to prevail in the next period of time, the General Secretariat of Civil Protection recommended to the Regions of the country to take decisions on additional bans on passage, stay and traffic in forests and forested areas of areas where the risk of fire is in category 3, 4, or 5.

Extreme conditions are expected to prevail tomorrow. We remain vigilant.

Thank you”.