Additional Countries Respond to Greece’s Call for Assistance in Battling Attica Wildfires

More countries have responded to Greece’s request for assistance in combating the wildfires in Attica through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, according to Fire Colonel Vassilios Vathrakogiannis.

Providing an update from the Fire Service Operations Center late Monday, Vathrakogiannis reported that, in addition to France, Italy, and the Czech Republic, three more countries have agreed to provide support:

– Serbia will send one helicopter, along with 35 firefighters and 10 vehicles.
– Romania will send 44 firefighters with four water tankers.
– Turkey will send two aircraft.

Additionally, France will supplement its helicopter deployment with 200 firefighters and 28 water tankers.

In his update on the fire that began on Sunday afternoon in Varnava — a town less than 30 miles north of Athens by road and which quickly spread to northeastern Attica, prompting evacuations and urgent alerts — Vathrakogiannis noted that ground forces remain strong.

“While there is no longer an active fire front, many active hotspots persist, primarily in the wider areas of Mount Penteli and Lake Marathon,” he said.

Fire Colonel Vassilios Vathrakogiannis.

According to reports, a 60-year-old woman lost her life in the town of Vrilissia, where the wildfire had spread late Monday.

Meanwhile, in the early hours of Tuesday, the area of Erythros in Nea Makri was evacuated due to a large resurgence.

Vathrakogiannis also provided updates on wildfires in other parts of Greece. The fires in Ampeleia Farsala, Politika Evia, Boni Heraklion Crete, Aginara Pyrgos Ilia, and Ragio Thesprotias have been brought under control, while those in Xanthi, Palaiopyrgos Nafpaktias, and Terpsithea Glyfadas have been contained.

High Fire Risk for Tuesday

The Fire Risk Prediction Map for Tuesday, August 13, indicates a very high fire risk (Category 4 – orange) for the regions of Attica and Central Greece, specifically the regional units of Viotia and Evia.

“We urge everyone to remain vigilant, as conditions for new fires remain hazardous, not only for Tuesday but for the coming days,” Vathrakogiannis warned.

Citizens are advised to exercise extreme caution and avoid activities that could accidentally ignite fires, such as burning dry grass and branches, using equipment that generates sparks (e.g., circular saws, welding devices), using outdoor grills, smoking out beehives, or discarding lit cigarettes. It is also a reminder that field burning is prohibited during the fire protection season.

In the event of a fire, citizens are urged to immediately notify the Fire Service by dialing 199.

For more information and self-protection guidelines regarding forest fire dangers, citizens can visit the General Secretariat of Civil Protection’s website here.