Μake us preferred on Google Firefighters battled multiple wildfires on Tuesday as a total of 39 forest and agricultural fires broke out across Greece over a 24-hour period. The blaze drawing the greatest attention from firefighting forces started shortly before 5 p.m. in low vegetation in the area of Agios Vlasios in Boeotia, central Greece.
According to the Fire Department, the fire broke out at around 4:45 p.m. and is burning away from residential areas. Strong ground forces continued to operate at the scene and were further reinforced, according to an updated Fire Department briefing. The situation had improved early Wednesday morning, with no active front, while crews, according to public broadcaster ERT, dealt with areas that were still smoldering.
A total of 92 firefighters, including five wildfire-fighting teams from the 4th and 10th Special Forest Firefighting Units (EMODE), and 25 vehicles operated throughout Tuesday night to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading. The Municipality of Livadea also assisted the Fire Department with water tankers and heavy machinery.
For aerial firefighting operations, 14 aircraft and four helicopters were deployed, operating periodically until nightfall. Two emergency alerts were also sent through Greece’s 112 emergency system to residents in the wider area. The first was issued at 5:27 p.m., notifying people in Agios Vlasios and Tsoukalades, while the second, at 6:14 p.m., instructed people in the wider Tsoukalades area to evacuate toward Livadea. The area is classified as being at high risk of wildfire, or category 3. The Fire Department also said that its Fthiotida Arson Investigation Unit had been mobilized to investigate the cause of the fire.
Improved situation in Stefaní, Boeotia
The situation has also improved at the wildfire that broke out in a forested area in Stefani, Boeotia, according to the Fire Department. The fire started at around 3:30 p.m. in difficult terrain away from populated areas. A total of 85 firefighters, including four wildfire-fighting teams from the 1st and 4th EMODE, and 28 vehicles are operating at the scene. Four aircraft and four helicopters were deployed for aerial firefighting, one of which is being used to coordinate the operations. The Municipality of Tanagra is also providing assistance with water tankers.
Situation on the other fronts
The situation is also improving at the fire that broke out Tuesday in low vegetation and waste in Elliniko, Salamina. The fire started at around 4:40 p.m. and is burning a large amount of waste, including batteries and vials. The Fire Department said there is no longer a risk of the fire spreading, although strong firefighting forces remain in the area to prevent any potential flare-ups. A total of 80 firefighters, including three wildfire-fighting teams from the 1st EMODE, volunteers and 25 vehicles are operating at the scene. Local government water tankers are also providing assistance.
Explosions were heard during the fire. The Fire Department clarified earlier that they were not caused by military material, but by waste burning at the site, including batteries and other objects. At 5:10 p.m., an emergency alert was issued through 112 instructing people in the wider areas of Ano Vasilika and Nea Salamina (Bizani) to evacuate toward Akti Karaiskaki.
Meanwhile, the fire that broke out in low vegetation at the Kalopigado location in Lavrio, Attica, is no longer an active front.
Another fire broke out in Attica at around 9:15 p.m., specifically in the Lakka Katsari area of Aspropyrgos. According to the Fire Department, the fire, which started in low vegetation, was quickly extinguished. Ten firefighters with three vehicles took part in the operation, while the Western Attica Arson Investigation Unit was mobilized to investigate the cause of the fire.
