The battle with the fire in Evros continues

Firefighters continue to battle the wildfire in Evros in the areas of Soufli, Kornofolia, Dadia, Kotronia, Sidiro, and Giannouli. In total, they are battling 81 fires across the region, while 44 new wildfires have broken out in the last 24 hours, most of which were tackled immediately, in their early stages.

Specifically, according to the fire department, in Evros, a large firefighting force is operating primarily in the areas of Soufli, Kornofolia, Dadia, Kotronia, Sidiro, and Giannoulis.

The European Civil Protection Mechanism is providing assistance in fighting the fires with teams from France, Spain, Cyprus, Romania, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Slovakia, as well as through intergovernmental agreements with Albania and Serbia.

In addition, assistance is being provided by a large number of volunteer firefighters, personnel deployed by the Hellenic National Defense General Staff and the Hellenic Police, as well as water tankers and construction equipment from the regional authorities.

Local investigative offices, as well as teams from the Arson Crimes Division (D.A.E.E.), are investigating the causes of the fires.

In addition, a very high fire risk (risk category 4) is forecast for today, Saturday, in four regions of the country, according to the Fire Risk Forecast Map issued by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr).

Specifically, a very high risk of fire is forecast for today, Saturday, in the following areas:

• Attica Region

• Region of Central Greece (Regional Units of Boeotia and Euboea, including the island of Skyros)

• Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (Evros Regional Unit)

• North Aegean Region (Lesbos Regional Unit, Chios Regional Unit, Samos Regional Unit, Ikaria Regional Unit).

At the same time, fire department personnel throughout the country remain on general alert to address the increased operational demands resulting from the large number of fires, while aerial surveillance patrols continue, as do patrols by firefighting, police, and military forces.

Finally, the Fire Department urges all citizens to be especially careful, and in the event of a fire, for their own safety, to strictly follow the instructions of the relevant authorities.