Many parts of the country remain surrounded by wildfires, with new fronts breaking out in Koropi, Menidi and Charakas, Keratea, where an emergency alert was sent through the 112 system. Attica, Crete and another 13 regions are under “Red Code” status today due to a very high wildfire risk.
The most difficult situation is being recorded in southern Rethymno, where the fire has been burning for a second day and has affected an area stretching more than 12 kilometres across, while the front was initially estimated to be over 15 kilometres long. Wind gusts reached speeds of up to 125 kilometres per hour, grounding most aerial firefighting units.
A total of 224 firefighters, 11 forest commando teams and 53 vehicles are operating in the area. An active front remains in Agia Paraskevi, with a high risk of flare-ups. Eight settlements have been evacuated in total, around 8,000 people were moved away from Agia Galini, and residents were transported by sea by the Hellenic Coast Guard. Extensive damage has been reported to homes, livestock facilities, crops and infrastructure.
Yesterday, three firefighters lost their lives while attempting to extinguish the fires in Rethymno and Gytheio.
Meanwhile, the fire in Plomari, Lesvos, no longer has a single active front. More than 1,000 stremmas have been burned, mainly olive groves and pine forest. The fire in Sitia has been contained in a remote and difficult-to-access area. Smaller fires in Lampero, Karditsa, and Chora, Naxos, were quickly brought under control.
The wildfires have claimed the lives of three firefighters: two in Rethymno, aged 58 and 25, and one in Gytheio.
Regarding the fire on Paros, which started at the landfill site and spread through low vegetation, the mayor, the deputy mayor responsible for sanitation and two other people were arrested. Administrative fines totalling €8,437.50 were imposed on them, and they were referred to the public prosecutor in Syros.
Sources: Athens-Macedonian News Agency, Κathimerini
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