The wildfire in Siviri, Halkidiki, showed signs of improvement on Friday morning. Firefighters battled the flames throughout the night and managed to significantly contain the blaze.
There is currently no single active fire front, although numerous smaller hotspots remain. Aerial firefighting operations resumed at first light to assist ground crews. The main challenge for firefighters is that the fire is burning inside ravines, making access difficult.
For this reason, aerial units and specialized forest firefighting teams from Greece’s EMODE units are working to extinguish the remaining hotspots. A large firefighting force also remains in the area because of the risk of flare-ups.
A total of 227 firefighters were deployed, along with 13 teams of ground crews from EMODE units across Greece and 57 vehicles. The force also included 12 firefighters and three vehicles from Moldova.
Extensive Damage From the Siviri Wildfire
Speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, Halkidiki Deputy Regional Governor Giannis Koufidis said the fire had caused serious damage to infrastructure, with the Siviri wastewater treatment facility and theater both extensively damaged.
Koufidis said most of the wastewater treatment facility had burned, adding that authorities could not rule out the possibility that it had been completely destroyed. The situation was similar at the Siviri theater, where the flames swept through the area and caused significant damage.
How the Battle Against the Flames Unfolded
The fire is believed to have started at a power distribution pole operated by HEDNO, Greece’s electricity distribution network operator. Strong winds caused a tree to fall onto the pole, triggering a short circuit and sparks that are believed to have ignited the fire. The location is about 500 meters from Kassandreia, on the road toward Siviri.
As the wildfire spread, it surrounded the entire settlement and reached the beaches. An emergency operation was launched to evacuate 481 people from the beaches of Fourka and Siviri.
Vessels from the Hellenic Coast Guard and Fire Service took part in the operation, along with the passenger ship Speed Runner Jet and numerous private individuals who volunteered their own boats, inflatable vessels and jet skis.
In total, 481 people were evacuated from Fourka and Siviri beaches and taken to safe locations.
