Arta is living through dramatic moments, as the large wildfire in Komboti continues to test the area and push residents to their limit. The scale of the destruction, and the anxiety over what comes next, has shaken not only local residents but also local government officials.
Tears on camera
The reaction of Periklis Migdos, mayor of the municipality of Georgios Karaiskakis, captures just how emotionally charged and critical the situation has become. His municipality sits right next to hard-hit Komboti, and he has been watching the fire sweep through the area from the front line.
Speaking to a MEGA News camera to describe the situation at the fire front, the mayor could not hide his deep sorrow. Breaking into tears, he said: “This is our home, we are family. We support each other, everyone here knows one another.”
His words captured both the despair and the enormous solidarity within local communities as they watch their home being destroyed.
Appeal for help with spraying equipment
Mayor Migdos made clear that the situation remains extremely difficult for the wider area and stressed the need for immediate, coordinated action from everyone involved.
Despite his emotion, he found the strength to make an urgent appeal to residents and volunteers: he asked that all small vehicles equipped with spraying tanks be mobilized right away and deployed along side roads and narrow streets in the settlements, to form a defensive line and support the exhausting work of the firefighting forces in any way possible.
