Monday, 29 July 2024

Good evening from the Fire Department's Operations Center. 54 wildfires have broken out in the last 24 hours. 43 were immediately tackled in their initial stage, and firefighting forces continue to address 11 fires.

One of these broke out today at 3:17 PM in a forest area near the villages of Petries in Euboea. It quickly became dangerous mainly due to the strong northern winds in the area. For this reason, 4 messages were issued by 112, initially to inform residents near the area where the fire broke out and subsequently to evacuate them from the villages of Krieza, Koskina, and Petries.

189 firefighters are operating with 9 teams of ground crews and 56 vehicles, as well as a large number of volunteers. For aerial firefighting, 26 aerial means have been deployed, specifically 16 aircraft and 10 helicopters, 2 of which are for coordination purposes. Local government water tankers and heavy machinery are assisting in the firefighting efforts. A firefighting boat has also been deployed to the area as a precaution, and the Coast Guard has been mobilized with vessels near the coastline.

Additionally, police forces have been deployed to facilitate the evacuation of residents. The coordination of all firefighting forces is being conducted from the Mobile Operational Center OLYMPOS.

Currently, the main front of the fire is located within the triangle formed by the villages of Petries, Krieza, and Alonia. Priority is given to the protection of human life and villages from the start, the wetland of Dystos Lake has been protected, and no damage has been reported so far. All Civil Protection forces are fighting hard to contain the wildfire.

We are in the heart of the fire season, and conditions are expected to become more difficult in the coming period, according to experts. Everyone needs to be very cautious. For any further updates, another briefing will follow. Thank you.