Μake us preferred on Google The Civil Protection mechanism remains on high alert, as very strong to gale-force winds are expected to persist through Saturday, August 15, in large parts of the country, locally reaching up to 9 Beaufort. In southern Crete, gusts are expected to exceed 100 km/h.
The Risk Assessment Committee met again on Friday, August 14, at the invitation of Secretary General for Civil Protection Nikos Papaefstathiou, with Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Evangelos Tournas also present.
The meeting focused on the gale-force winds affecting many parts of the country, as well as the operational situation on the wildfire fronts.
The Kassandra fire is subsiding
Special attention was given to the large wildfire that broke out on Thursday in Kassandra, Chalkidiki.
Evangelos Tournas described the fire as especially difficult, since it broke out in an area with forest land as well as homes and settlements, requiring an immediate, large scale mobilization of forces.
“The mobilization was fast and very large. A total of 16 aircraft were operating until sunset,” he said.
Efforts continued throughout the night, with crews cutting access roads and fire breaks. By Friday morning the fire was subsiding, with crews carrying out mop up operations.
Besides the Fire Service, the operation involved the Armed Forces, the Hellenic Police, the Coast Guard, the region, the municipality, and Civil Protection volunteers.
446 People Evacuated Safely
According to the minister, one of the hardest parts of the operation was safely evacuating residents.
Strong police forces, Coast Guard and Fire Service vessels, and a large ship secured through SeaJets were mobilized for the evacuation.
“Together, all of this managed to evacuate 446 people in complete safety,” Tournas said, adding that despite especially difficult weather conditions, “the mechanism held up and performed well.”
How Far the 9 Beaufort Winds Will Reach on August 15
According to scientists on the Risk Assessment Committee, very strong to gale-force winds will continue on Saturday, mainly in the eastern and southern parts of the country.
In Thrace, north to northeast winds of 5 to 7 Beaufort are expected, while the islands of the northern and northeastern Aegean will see 6 to 8 Beaufort.
Winds of 5 to 7 Beaufort will blow across the eastern and southern Peloponnese, while Attica-Boeotia and Evia will see 6 to 7, and locally up to 8 Beaufort by the afternoon.
Even stronger winds are forecast for the central Aegean, reaching 7 to 8 and locally up to 9 Beaufort by the afternoon. The Cyclades will see a similar picture, with 7 to 8 and locally 9 Beaufort in the north.
In Crete, north winds will reach 6 to 8 Beaufort, while gusts in the southern part of the island are expected to exceed 100 km/h.
In Kasos and Karpathos, northwest winds will reach 7 to 8 Beaufort.
When the Winds Are Expected to Ease
Strong winds will continue into Sunday, August 16, at least during the early hours of the day.
Attica-Boeotia will see winds of 5 to 7 Beaufort, southern Evia 6 to 8 Beaufort, and the Cyclades, Crete, Kasos and Karpathos 5 to 7, locally 8 Beaufort.
A gradual, further easing of the winds is expected starting Sunday afternoon.
