This week’s cocktail of weather conditions is an explosive one for fires. The “Hot-Dry-Windy” weather, as it is called by experts, hot, dry and windy weather. In fact, from the beginning of the week, experts are calling for special attention through Friday.

According to the Fire Risk Forecast Map issued by the General Secretariat of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr), for today, Thursday, June 20, 2024, it is very high fire risk (risk category 4) for four regions:

In particular, these are the following regions:

– Region of Attica (including the island of Kythera)
– Region of Central Greece (including the region of Evia and Boeotia)
– Region of North Aegean (PE Lesvos, PE Chios)
– Region of Peloponnese (ΠE Korinthia, ΠE Argolida, ΠE Lakonia)

Domino of fires in Attica

Since noon, the Fire Department forces have been battling to deal with the almost simultaneous fires that have broken out in Attica.

In particular, a dry grass fire broke out at noon on Thursday (20/6) in Varybobi. The fire is burning near the tavern “Thea” and strong firefighting forces have been rushed to the scene. In particular, 45 firefighters with 11 vehicles, 3 teams of hiking teams, 3 aircraft and 3 helicopters are operating. Because of the fire, a diversion is being carried out on Tatoi Street at the height of the tavern “Leonidas”.

Almost simultaneously, a fire broke out in the area of Kokkinou Mill. According to the fire department’s update, the flames are burning in a ravine on Kleisoura Street, near a residential area. At the point have rushed 15 firefighters with five vehicles, however, forces are expected to increase in order to contain the front and not to threaten homes directly. Due to the fire, diversions are being carried out on Ionia Avenue and Gritsas, Alamana Street and Poseidon Street, in the area of Menidi.

A little earlier, a fire also broke out in a warehouse in Egaleo. 13 firefighters with 5 vehicles are operating at the scene, while, there is no information about trapped people.

The fire in a timber warehouse on Anapavseos Avenue in Halandri was put under control shortly before 15.00. 24 firefighters with 7 vehicles rushed to the scene. Assistance was provided by volunteer firefighters, project machinery and water trucks of OTA.

At the same time, a large fire is ongoing in a forest area in the area of Volvi, in Thessaloniki. According to reports, the fire broke out shortly before 14:00 near the settlement of Limni. In the extinguishing operation are operating 37 firefighters with 15 vehicles, an aircraft, a helicopter and a hiking section. In fact, a message was sent from “112” stressing to the residents in the area of the Lake Volvi settlement to be on alert.

Extreme fire danger for Attica on Friday – Which areas are in “orange”

It is noted that extreme fire risk – Alert status (risk category 5) for tomorrow, Friday 21 June 2024, is predicted for Attica according to the Fire Risk Prediction Map issued by the General Secretariat of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr).

At the same time, the risk is very high (risk category 4) for the following areas:

– Region of Attica (Kythera Island)
– Region of Peloponnese
– Region of Western Greece (PE Ilia, PE Achaia)
– Region of Central Greece (PE Fokida, PE Boeotia, PE Fthiotida, PE Evia including the island of Skyros)
– Region of North Aegean (PE Lesvos, PE Chios)

See the map:

The General Secretariat of Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr) of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection has informed the relevant government departments involved, as well as the Regions and the Municipalities of the above areas, in order to be on increased civil protection preparedness in order to deal immediately with any fire incidents.

At the same time, the General Secretariat of Civil Protection recommends that citizens should be particularly careful and avoid actions in the countryside that can cause a fire by negligence, such as burning dry grass and branches or cleaning debris, the use of machinery that cause sparks such as circular saws, welding devices, the use of outdoor barbecues, smoking bees, throwing lit cigarettes, etc. It is also reminded that during the fire season, burning of fields is prohibited.

In case of noticing a fire, citizens are requested to immediately notify the Fire Service at the call number 199.