Firefighters are battling a blaze that broke out around midday on Tuesday, 28 July, in a landfill and low scrubland in the Kambi area of Paros, a spot where several homes are scattered nearby.

The Fire Service’s operations centre was alerted at around 1.30pm and immediately raised the alarm, with crews mobilised straight away.

At the scene, 10 firefighters with five vehicles are currently working to contain the fire, including two firefighters with one vehicle who travelled by ferry from the neighbouring island of Naxos. Three helicopters and nine aircraft have been deployed for aerial firefighting, while volunteers and the Municipality of Paros are also assisting with two water tankers and one piece of heavy machinery.

The Fire Service’s Deputy Chief is travelling to Paros, while a second helicopter is transporting seven firefighters from the 1st Special Forest Fire Unit (EMODE) to reinforce crews on the ground. In addition, the Regional Fire Commander for the South Aegean and six firefighters from Syros are being transported by a vessel of the Hellenic Coast Guard.

Further reinforcements are due to arrive by ferry, including two firefighters with one vehicle from Syros, four firefighters with two vehicles from Naxos, and 10 firefighters with five vehicles from the Motorised Special Fire Operations Unit (METPE), based in Piraeus.

The Sea Jet Tera Jet 2 ferry, originally bound for Piraeus, changed course and is instead sailing from Paros to Naxos, along with its passengers, in order to transport firefighting personnel to the area.

Reinforcements have since been stepped up further, with 12 aircraft now in the air and the national 112 emergency alert system used to order evacuations in four separate areas.

Shortly before 3pm, a 112 message was sent to mobile phones warning residents in the areas of Agios Charalambos Kambis, Bougados and Aneratzia to move away toward Aliki. A second 112 alert followed at 3.30pm, instructing residents of the Kamari area to do the same.

The Cyclades Arson Investigation Unit has already opened an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the outbreak of the fire.

Speaking to protothema.gr, the Mayor of Paros, Konstantinos Bizas, described the blaze as “punishing,” saying: “Because of the winds, this fire is punishing. It’s heading toward Kamari. A helicopter from Naxos has been here from the very first moment carrying out water drops, and it has since been joined by two Canadair aircraft. The front is large and stretches a long way. The fire is burning through vegetation that’s difficult to access. The Kambi area has already been evacuated, and Kamari will follow.”