Firefighters tackle 45 fires in Evia, 37 contained

Firefighters in Evia battled flames throughout the night, with aerial units resuming operations at dawn.

According to the latest update, the situation has slightly improved. The fire is burning between settlements in the Dirfys-Messapia municipality and currently does not threaten inhabited areas. However, it continues to move through rugged terrain, and wind conditions are expected to worsen in the coming hours.

Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias and Fire Department leadership have traveled to the area.

Ground forces remain strong in the region, with 183 firefighters, eight forestry teams, 52 vehicles, and numerous volunteers on the scene. Nineteen aerial units, including 11 planes and eight helicopters (two coordinating), are also deployed. Local authorities and the armed forces are assisting with heavy machinery and water tankers, while police have been dispatched to facilitate resident movement.

Coordination of all civil protection forces is being managed from the Mobile Operations Center OLYMPOS.

In the last 24 hours, 45 new fires have broken out, 37 of which were quickly controlled, according to the Fire Department. The most challenging blaze occurred in the Psachna area of Evia, due to the terrain and strong winds. Fire Department spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis reported that wind gusts reached 7 Beaufort, and low humidity levels caused continuous flare-ups and new fire fronts. Three emergency alerts were issued via 112, the first to inform residents, the second to evacuate Afrati, and the third to evacuate the smaller settlements of Kamari, Kalyvia, and Agios Georgios Arma towards Chalkida.

Today, a very high fire risk (Category 4) is forecasted for Attica, Boeotia, Evia, Corinthia, and Argolis.