Monday, August 12, 2024
Good evening from the Fire Service Operations Center.
The situation remains extremely difficult in areas of northeastern Attica due to the ongoing wildfire that has been burning since yesterday.
Continuous flare-ups and spotting are creating new fire fronts that spread rapidly, fueled by very strong winds. At present, firefighting forces are battling fronts in Daou Penteli, Old and New Penteli, Marathon towards Grammatikos, Dionysos, and Patima Vrilission, while the situation has improved in Afidnes and Kaletzi.
A total of 702 firefighters, supported by 27 forest commando teams, 199 vehicles, and volunteers, are engaged in the operations, with assistance from all Civil Protection agencies.
From the air, 35 aerial units are operating intermittently, including 17 aircraft and 18 helicopters, three of which are coordinating the efforts. It is important to note that the perimeter of the fire is vast, and in many cases, the aerial units are not easily visible due to their dispersal and the dense smoke.
A total of 30 messages have been issued via the 112 emergency service, the latest instructing residents to evacuate the settlements of New and Old Penteli, Patima Chalandriou, Patima Vrilission, Krasa Ano Vrilission, as well as from Dionysos and Kalentzi Marathon, towards safe directions.
Earlier, the General Hospital of Melissia "Amalia Fleming" was evacuated as a precaution, and patients were transferred to the "Pammakaristos" hospital.
In response to our country's request for assistance, submitted yesterday afternoon through the General Secretariat for Civil Protection to the European Civil Protection Mechanism, France has sent a helicopter expected to arrive today, Italy is sending two aircraft expected to arrive tomorrow, and the Czech Republic is sending 75 firefighters and 25 vehicles, including nine water tankers, also expected to arrive tomorrow.
Additionally, assistance from Spain and Turkey is expected to be finalized soon.
Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.
