Two of the fires are still burning but the situation is much more under control; according to the Fire Department, they were caused yesterday, most likely by lightning, in Mandra, Attica, and in Fourka, Chalkidiki.
At the same time, the great battle continues, with the assistance of powerful foreign firefighting forces that rushed to help our country in the fight against the raging inferno, on the fronts that have caused enormous destruction to property, crops, and forests in Northern Euboea, Elis-Arcadia, and Laconia.
The fire in Mandra was first detected today at 6:10 a.m. in a forested area in the Gini region, on the municipality’s border with the Gerania Mountains, and is believed to have been caused by a lightning strike, as six other similar fires broke out last night, which were immediately tackled by firefighting crews. Emergency response was initiated immediately, and at this time, 18 firefighters are on the scene with six vehicles, as well as one helicopter and two aircraft. According to the Fire Department, the flames have already been extinguished and there is no risk of the fire spreading.
The same is true in Fourka, Kassandra, Chalkidiki, where the fire is also attributed to a lightning strike, as it is one of the five fires that broke out yesterday in the area. The others were extinguished immediately, while 76 firefighters—including four teams of ground crews, 29 vehicles, as well as a helicopter and an aircraft.
Since similar conditions are expected today as well, and according to the Fire Risk Forecast Map issued by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, a very high fire risk is forecast for today, with a risk category of 4, in Attica, Euboea, Laconia, and the islands of the northeastern Aegean (Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Ikaria); all Fire Department units remain on general alert.
As for the forces responding to the major fires, according to the latest update from the Fire Department, the details are as follows:
– Strong ground forces continue to operate at the Parnitha forest fire; these forces have been reinforced through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, specifically from France with 40 firefighters, from Qatar with 40 firefighters, from Kuwait with 40 firefighters and 4 vehicles, and from Israel with 16 firefighters. In addition, the OLYMPOS Mobile Operations Center is located in the area of the fire. Assistance is being provided by the Greek Army with foot patrols, the Hellenic Police (ELAS), volunteer firefighters, as well as water tankers and construction equipment from local authorities.
– 858 firefighters, along with 46 ground crews and 230 vehicles, continue to battle the wildfire in Northern Euboea, including forces deployed through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, specifically 100 firefighters from Ukraine, 39 firefighters with 14 vehicles and one ambulance from Serbia, 108 firefighters with 21 vehicles from Romania, 75 firefighters from Slovakia with 30 vehicles, 143 firefighters from Poland with 46 vehicles, from Moldova, 25 firefighters with 4 vehicles and the OLYMPOS Mobile Operations Center. In addition, 4 helicopters and 3 aircraft (2 Ilyushin Il-76s and a Beriev-200) have been deployed for aerial firefighting. Assistance is being provided by the Coast Guard, the Armed Forces with ground units, volunteer firefighters, and local authorities with water tankers and heavy equipment.
– Sixty-two firefighters, along with two teams of ground crews, 23 vehicles, and one aircraft, are battling the forest fire in Eastern Mani, Laconia. Assistance is being provided by the Greek Army, volunteer firefighters, and local government water tankers.
– A total of 678 firefighters, along with 30 teams of ground crews, 218 vehicles, including forces deployed through the European Civil Protection Mechanism—specifically, 35 firefighters with 14 vehicles from the Czech Republic, 21 firefighters from the United Kingdom, 200 firefighters with 59 vehicles from France, 57 firefighters with 18 vehicles from Germany, and 39 firefighters with 16 vehicles from Austria, while the OLYMPOS Mobile Operations Center is also on site at the fire. In addition, 3 aircraft and 2 helicopters have been deployed for aerial firefighting. Volunteer firefighters, water tankers, and local government construction equipment are also providing assistance. The firefighting forces are being coordinated by the Chief of the Fire Department, Lieutenant General Stefanos Kolokouris.
Committees of the Peloponnese Region have begun assessing damage caused by the fires – What the Deputy Regional Governor of Arcadia, Chr. Lampropoulos, told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA)
«Committees have already been formed to assess the damage caused by the fires in the regions of Gortynia and Megalopolis, and they have in fact begun their work,» said Christos Lampropoulos, deputy regional governor of Arcadia, in an interview with the Athenian-Macedonian News Agency.
As he explained, «There are three committees: the first is responsible for damage to crops and livestock, the second for homes and infrastructure, and the third for businesses.».
«The damage assessments,» he continued, «have already begun in the Megalopolis area, where the fire is subsiding, and will continue in the affected areas of Gortynia.».
He also noted that «committee members have been instructed to complete their work by August 25 in order to expedite the procedures.».
At the same time, the deputy regional governor emphasized: «We are moving forward today with the procurement of animal feed—either through purchases by the Region or through shipments from the Ministry of Rural Development—so that we can immediately send it to the affected livestock farmers.».
Regarding the restoration of electricity and, by extension, the restoration of water supply through the restart of the pumping stations, Mr. Lampropoulos said that ’The Public Power Corporation (PPC) has already provided two generators for the Megalopolis area, and generators are also expected to be sent to the Gortynia area.«.
Regarding the restoration of the power grid, he noted that «especially in the Gortynia region, work will begin as soon as fire conditions permit, while in Megalopolis, the restoration work is easier since the fire, as I mentioned earlier, is subsiding and the damage is less extensive.».
In any case, according to HEDNO, «the spread of the fire in the Gortynia region resulted in the destruction of a significant portion of the grid and hindered the progress of restoration work.».
However, «an inspection was conducted in most of the areas accessible from the affected regions, where 188 utility poles in need of repair and 33 kilometers of power lines were identified, while at least nine communities have already been reconnected to the power grid,» reports HEDNO.
Regarding support for residents affected by the fires, the deputy regional governor emphasized: «We are constantly receiving aid for our fellow citizens affected by the fires from private individuals, businesses, and organizations.».
Meanwhile, according to the Peloponnese Region, «the regional governor, Panagiotis Nikas, submitted, in his relevant correspondence to the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, proposals to declare a state of emergency in five areas belonging to municipalities in Arcadia, Laconia, and Messenia, which were affected by the recent fires».
Specifically, the requests concern areas in the fire-affected municipalities of Gortynia, Megalopolis (Eastern Mani), Pylos-Nestoras, and Oichalia.
