The Director of Strategic Planning and Communications at the Hellenic Fire Service headquarters, Chief Fire Brigadier Vasileios Vathrakogiannis, said in an emergency briefing that 51 rural and forest fires broke out over the past 24 hours, and that Fire Service crews are currently battling 73 fires across the country.

The fire in Marathos, Evrytania, has been brought under control. Fires in Archontochori Amfilochias, Floka Achaias, and Chinitsa Argolidas are subsiding.

Poikilo Oros

In the fire that broke out earlier on Poikilo Oros, 108 firefighters are operating with six wildland firefighting teams, volunteers, and 22 vehicles, supported by water tankers from the Region of Attica.

Fire Service crews have made protecting the psychiatric hospital in Dafni a priority.

For aerial firefighting, 7 aircraft and 7 helicopters have been deployed, one of which is coordinating the operation. Homes are located near the fire, so alerts were issued both to inform residents and to evacuate those in the wider area.

All of the Fire Service’s aircraft have been mobilized to fight the fires, but in most cases they are unable to draw water or operate because of gale-force winds causing severe turbulence and serious flight safety risks.

The toughest fire fronts

Right now the hardest fires to fight, because of the terrain and gale-force winds, are burning in Kalamaki and Xironomi, Boeotia, where 215 firefighters are operating with 10 wildland teams, volunteers, and 57 vehicles.

In the same area, the “Deukalion” team and engineering equipment provided by the Hellenic National Defence General Staff are working alongside the Forest Service to cut firebreaks.

Water tankers and engineering machinery have also been provided by the Region of Central Greece. Greek Police units are spread across the wider area managing traffic and helping residents move safely. Units from the National Center for Emergency Care (EKAB) have been mobilized as well.

The fire advanced toward the coastal settlement of Agios Vasileios, prompting 112 alerts both to inform residents and to evacuate those in the wider area.

Early on, a Fire Service vessel and a rapid response boat were dispatched to the area, along with Coast Guard vessels and private boats, which safely evacuated a total of 254 people.

Komboti, Arta

At the fire in Komboti, Arta, 64 firefighters are operating with 3 wildland teams and 20 vehicles, supported from the air by 8 aircraft. The fire is advancing near homes, and no damage has been reported so far.

Fichti, Argolida

At the fire in Fichti, Argolida, 125 firefighters are operating with 7 wildland teams and 22 vehicles, supported from the air by 4 aircraft and 4 helicopters.

Local municipal water tankers are also assisting with firefighting. The fire is burning through agricultural and forest land with scattered homes.

Fire risk is expected to be extreme in Attica and Evia on Saturday, and very high across the rest of the country.

All Civil Protection forces have been placed on alert, and all Fire Service units remain on general standby.

Officials stressed that, in every case, citizens should follow the instructions of the responsible authorities for their own safety.