The mechanism is on alert for Attica, Evia, Boeotia, Phocis, Fthiotida, Magnesia, Larissa, Argolis, Corinth, Messinia, areas of Achaia, areas of Ilia and the islands of the Regional Unity of Rhodes, as according to the fire risk forecast map issued daily by the Greek National Fire Authority for tomorrow, Sunday 23 July, an extreme risk of fire is predicted (risk category 5) in the above areas, as reported in an emergency briefing by the Fire Brigade press representative, deputy fire chief Yiannis Artopaios.

“This extreme situation we are experiencing will further favor the occurrence and spread of forest fires”, underlined Mr. Artophios and added: “We have been in conditions of prolonged heat for two weeks and these phenomena are expected to intensify in the next three days. Their characteristics will be the very high temperatures that will reach 45 degrees Celsius, very low humidity rates below 15% and, finally, a significant strengthening of the winds, according to the forecasts of the National Meteorological Service”.

The General Secretariat of Civil Protection, with its urgent document, appeals to the Decentralized Administrations, Regions and Municipalities of the country, in order to put their personnel and the means they have at their disposal to the maximum possible readiness.

Specifically, you should:

– To convene the regional and local bodies of Civil Protection to ensure the coordination between all involved bodies (Fire Brigade, Hellenic Police, GEETHA, Coast Guard, DEDDIE, ADMIE, EKAV and forest services).

– To take all the necessary protection measures in their areas of competence based on the local specificities of each region.

– They should also inform the citizens regarding the prohibition of performing hot work such as smoking bees, using a wheel, electric welding and anything that can cause fires.

– To deal immediately with any emergency needs and consequences of forest fires.

– To ensure the prohibition of the entry and passage of citizens in Natura areas, forests, groves and parks once the danger index is of category 3, 4 and 5.

Regarding the firesMr. Baker stressed that the fire in Rhodes is the most difficult one faced by the fire brigade, as the active front is raging in the areas of Lardos, Laerma, Kiotari and there are 173 firefighters, 10 groups of infantry divisions, 35 vehicles, 5 helicopters, 3 aircraft and 31 Slovak firefighters with 5 vehicles operating there.

At 12:25 a message was issued by 112 to evacuate the settlements of Pylon and Lardos to Archangelos and at 13:42 to evacuate the settlements of Asklipieio and Kiotari to Gennadi.

Regarding the fires in Dervenochoria and LaconiaMr. Baker said that they are in recession, however due to the extreme conditions that prevail they remain strong forces and operate non-stop.

“Gradually, forces from 8 countries, from the European Civil Protection Mechanism, under the instructions of the National Coordination Center for Crisis Management, are being deployed and will operate, with infantry divisions as well as aerial means. Also, bilateral assistance is provided by Israel, Turkey and Jordan,” noted the Fire Brigade’s press representative.

“We don’t light a fire for any reason. We do not perform hot work. Negligence can lead to a major ecological disaster and endanger human lives”, Mr. Artophios concluded.