For one more night the fire brigades are fighting to prevent rekindling of the fire fronts in Western Attica, in Rhodes and Laconia.

The two active fronts of the fire in Western Attica have been greatly reduced as reported in The press representative of the Fire Brigade, Yiannis Artophios, SKAIS.

He pointed out that the fire brigades are working continuously throughout the night in order to put it under control until the morning, when the aerial means will try.

He emphasized that an effort is being made to limit the risk of a possible new outbreak due to the extreme weather conditions and the many stains.

Yesterday, due to the flare-ups, 5 messages were issued by 112 for the evacuation of residents from the settlements of Agia Sotira, Paleokoundoura, Panorama, Paleochori Oinoi, Agios Ioannis Korakas, Kiafa and Agios Panteleimonas.

Properties were set ablaze, while even more areas of valuable forest were lost.

The fire is in progress in Rhodes and the active front is south of Apollon towards Laerma without threatening homes, according to the press representative of the Fire Department, Giannis Artopiorio

In decline with a small active front located to the east is the fire in Lefchoma Laconia,

The fire in Mega Emiros of Xanthi is contained, according to Mr. Artophios.

Since yesterday morning, 300 firefighters with 122 vehicles and groups of pedestrians have been working on the fire in the wider area of ​​Western Attica, while 11 aircraft and 11 helicopters periodically assisted from the air, including 4 aircraft from Italy and France that the European Civil Protection Mechanism made available to Greece.

Forces in the field of operations will continue to work through the night to establish fire zones. The armed forces and security forces have also found themselves in the battle to deal with the fires.

The GEETHA has deployed 110 people to assist in the firefighting as well as 14 earth movers and project machines with their operators, who continue to work even during the night to open fire zones in the field of operations.

The Coast Guard has deployed 6 vessels that patrol maritime areas where there are fires. The Hellenic Police has made available 120 vehicles with 292 officers to facilitate both the evacuations and the guarding of the properties as well as the movement of the fire engines.

High risk in 5 areas

A very high risk of fire (risk category 4) is predicted today in five regions of the country, according to the Fire Risk Prediction Map issued by the general secretariat of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr):

  • – In the Region of Attica
  • – In the Region of Central Greece (PE Boeotia, PE Evia)
  • – In the Peloponnese Region (Corinthia Region, Argolis Region)
  • – In the South Aegean Region (Rhodes Region), and
  • – in the North Aegean region (Samos PE, Ikaria PE)

The fire department appeals to citizens to be especially careful and pointed out that equally extreme conditions are expected today. “We are faced with a combination of extreme weather phenomena which are often beyond us. We point out that most fires are unfortunately caused by negligence”, according to Mr. Artophios.

The authorities proceeded to arrest 3 men in Crete for carrying out work that caused fires in the areas of Mikra Anogeia Rethymno, Vagionia Gortyna Heraklion and Sitia.

60 buildings dangerous to use

A total of 151 autopsies and records of buildings affected by fires were carried out by levels of the general secretariat of Natural Disaster Recovery and State Aid in the municipalities of Saronikos, Loutraki – Perachora – Ag. Theodoron, Megareon and Mandra-Idyllia. Of the 151 autopsies in the fire-affected areas of the above four municipalities, so far, 60 buildings are classified as dangerous for use (“red”), 48 are classified as temporarily unfit for use until repaired (“yellow”) and 43 are classified as suitable for use with minor repairs (“green”).