UPDATES

Fire easing in Chalkidiki

A major fire broke out around midday in Siviri, Chalkidiki. It has now been brought under control, with the Coast Guard having evacuated 481 people from the beaches.

Damage has been recorded to homes, as well as to the area’s sewage treatment plant.

Two firefighters were injured during the fire-fighting operation.

The 112 emergency alert system had sent evacuation messages for the Siviri and Fourka areas.

Earlier, fires had broken out in Aitoloakarnania, in Makynia, Potamoula and Mamoulada, all of which have been brought under control.

Gale-force winds with gusts exceeding 100 km/h are expected over the next 48 hours: which areas will be affected, and difficult conditions for sea crossings.

The Siviri forest: Kassandra’s green ‘lung’ that survived the 2006 fires

The largest green lung on the Kassandra peninsula, the first leg of Chalkidiki, with dense Mediterranean vegetation and tall pine trees, is the Siviri forest, where the fire has been raging for the past several hours.

This particular forest had escaped the major fires of 2006, which burned through the southern part of the Kassandra peninsula (77,000 stremmata, or around 7,700 hectares) and at the time reached the edge of the village of Kassandrino, just a few kilometres from today’s fire front. The forest’s value has been described as invaluable for the local ecosystem and for tourism, and its importance grew sharply after the huge 2006 fire, which destroyed 50% of southern and central Kassandra, leaving the forests that survived as crucial cores of ecological regeneration.

The construction of the Siviri amphitheatre in 1993, home to the Kassandra Festival, within the forest turned the wider Siviri area into a landmark for summer cultural events, for locals and tourists alike.

Anyone who has driven through the Kassandreia area and along the road linking the Siviri junction to Fourka, or walked the trails through the pine-covered countryside and swum off the wooded coastline of Siviri and Elani, will know that the cool air, clean atmosphere and protection the forest gives the soil against erosion define the character of this green lung. After the huge areas burned in 2006, the greener or less-affected sections on the western side served as wildlife refuges and sources of reforestation, restoring the ecological balance to a significant extent.

Firefighter collapses on Siviri beach

Dramatic footage was captured on Siviri beach in Chalkidiki, showing a firefighter collapsing as the operation to evacuate residents and tourists because of the fire was under way.

481 people evacuated from Siviri beach

A total of 481 people were evacuated from Siviri beach using two Coast Guard vessels, two Fire Service boats, three fishing boats, private craft and a high-speed passenger ferry.

Of these, 285 were taken to Sani Marina, while 196 boarded the Speedrunner Jet and are being transported to the port of Thessaloniki. Three Coast Guard vessels, two Fire Service boats and private craft remain in the area.

Police to patrol burnt areas of Chalkidiki

Large numbers of police officers from across Central Macedonia are in the Siviri area, where they have been helping with evacuations and traffic management.

Officers will remain overnight to patrol and guard homes and businesses, to prevent theft and looting after residents and tourists fled in a hurry.

Hoteliers in Halkidiki and Thessaloniki offer rooms to those affected by the major Siviri fire

Hoteliers in Chalkidiki and Thessaloniki are offering rooms to those affected by the major fire that broke out in Siviri, on the first leg of the Chalkidiki peninsula.

“Hoteliers in Chalkidiki and Thessaloniki are working with the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Protection, and have activated a Hellenic Chamber of Hotels platform to accommodate everyone affected by the fire. Colleagues can register how many vacant rooms they currently have to host anyone in need,” said Grigoris Tasios, president of the Chalkidiki Hoteliers’ Association.

Because of the mid-August holiday period, hotel occupancy in Chalkidiki currently stands at around 90%, which is why Mr Tasios has also called on colleagues in Thessaloniki to help, so that any needs that arise can be fully met.

“We don’t yet know how many people have been affected, and we need to be properly prepared to accommodate them,” Mr Tasios added.

It should be noted that the special platform set up for the temporary accommodation of those affected by the forest fire in the Municipality of Kassandra is running on the website of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection.

The initiative is being run by the Ministry of Tourism in partnership with the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, with the aim of securing temporary accommodation for people affected by the fire.

Damage to Siviri’s sewage plant and theatre

Speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA), Giannis Koufidis, deputy regional governor of the Chalkidiki Regional Unit, said the fire had caused serious damage to infrastructure, including Siviri’s sewage treatment plant and its theatre.

He said the sewage plant had suffered major damage, with most of the facility having burned down, adding that it could well have been completely destroyed.

The picture is similar at Siviri’s theatre, he said, as the fire swept through the area and caused extensive damage.

According to the deputy regional governor, there is still no clear picture of the total number of homes destroyed, as the fire remains active and Civil Protection and Fire Service crews remain in the field.

“We can’t say anything with certainty yet, because quite simply things are still burning,” said Mr Koufidis, describing the situation currently unfolding in Chalkidiki.

Fire near Kapotas Camp extinguished

Fire crews swiftly extinguished a fire that broke out at around 19:00 in low vegetation on Parnithos Street, near Kapotas Camp in Acharnes, Attica.

A total of 73 firefighters took part in the operation, with 3 ground teams from the 1st EMODE Special Forest Fire-Fighting Unit and 25 vehicles, backed from the air by 2 helicopters. Water tankers from the Municipality of Acharnes also assisted.

It is recalled that at 19:04 a 112 alert was issued to inform people in the wider area of the fire.

The Athens Arson Crime Investigation Department has been mobilised to investigate the cause of the fire.

Because of the fire, the Hellenic Police suspended vehicle traffic on Parnithos Street, though traffic is now flowing normally again.

No active front in the Akontio fire in Boeotia

Assembly and temporary shelter points announced in Kassandreia and Kallithea because of the Chalkidiki fire

The Municipality of Kassandra has announced that the “IOLAOS” evacuation plan is in effect because of the fire in Chalkidiki. The announcement states that assembly and temporary shelter points have opened and are available in Kassandreia and Kallithea.

Kassandreia temporary shelter points:

The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

The Church of Saint Christopher

Kassandreia Football Ground

Kassandreia Indoor Sports Hall

In Kallithea:

Kallithea Indoor Sports Hall

Kallithea Football Ground

Kallithea Municipal Car Park

As noted in the municipality’s announcement, residents and visitors who need to leave the area can head to the above points, always following the instructions of the 112 emergency alert system, the Fire Service, the Hellenic Police and Civil Protection.

“We ask you to remain calm, avoid unnecessary journeys and follow the instructions of the relevant authorities closely. The Municipality of Kassandra is in a state of full operational readiness, and further updates will follow depending on how the situation develops,” the announcement said.

UPDATES

Major fire in Chalkidiki, fronts also in Aitoloakarnania and Boeotia.

A major fire has broken out in Chalkidiki, with Greece’s 112 emergency alert system issuing evacuation messages for Sivira and Fourka.

The fire is raging out of control, with the Hellenic Coast Guard evacuating people trapped on Sivira beach. Two firefighters have been injured.

A fire has also broken out in the Akontio area of Boeotia, as well as in woodland at Drymonas in Aitoloakarnania.

A fire had broken out earlier in Aitoloakarnania too, in the villages of Makynia and Potamoula, both of which have since been brought under control.

Gale-force winds with gusts exceeding 100 km/h are forecast over the next 48 hours, with sea crossings expected to be difficult in the affected areas.

Where traffic has been suspended

Because of the fire under way in the Sivira area of Chalkidiki, traffic has been suspended in both directions on the Paliouri to Afytos provincial road, between Sivira and Fourka.

Vehicles are being diverted from the community of Sivira towards Kassandreia, and from the community of Fourka towards Kassandrino, Polychrono and Skioni.

Fire at Drymonas in Aitoloakarnania

A fire has broken out in woodland in the Drymonas area of Aitoloakarnania. A total of 55 firefighters have been mobilised, including two ground crews from the Sixth Special Disaster Response Unit (EMODE), along with 14 vehicles, five aircraft and one helicopter. Municipal water tankers and heavy machinery are also assisting.

Firefighter with breathing difficulties taken to health centre

Another firefighter suffering from breathing difficulties was picked up by an EKAB ambulance and taken to Kassandreia Health Centre.

As previously reported, another firefighter with a lower-limb injury was earlier taken to Polygyros General Hospital.

EKAB resources have been reinforced, with six ambulances, one mobile medical unit, two light utility vehicles and three rapid-response motorcycles now operating in the field, staffed by paramedics and medical personnel.

EKAB remains on heightened operational readiness to further reinforce its resources if required, in cooperation with the other agencies involved.

UPDATES

Major fire rages in Chalkidiki as new blaze breaks out in Boeotia

• A major fire has broken out in Chalkidiki, with Greece’s 112 emergency alert system issuing evacuation messages for the villages of Sivira and Fourka.
  
• The blaze is raging out of control, with the Hellenic Coast Guard evacuating residents trapped on Sivira beach. One firefighter has been injured.
  
• A fire has also broken out in the Akontio area of Boeotia.
  
• A fire had broken out earlier in the western Greek region of Aitoloakarnania too, in the villages of Makynia and Potamoula, both of which have since been brought under control.
  
  
  
  

One firefighter injured

A firefighter was injured and taken to Polygyros General Hospital. According to reports, he has sustained a lower-limb injury.

At the same time, the National Centre for Emergency Care (EKAB) has been on heightened operational readiness since the fire broke out in Sivira.

Four ambulances, one mobile medical unit, two light utility vehicles and two rapid-response motorcycles are operating in the field, staffed by paramedics and medical personnel.

EKAB remains on standby to further reinforce its resources if required, in cooperation with the other agencies involved.

“The situation is very difficult”

“The situation is very difficult,” the Deputy Regional Governor of Chalkidiki, Yiannis Koufidis, told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA). The fire is reportedly raging on both sides of the road leading from Sivira to Kassandra. Traffic on the roads out of Sivira and Fourka has already been suspended, with traffic police diverting vehicles.

Residents evacuated from Sivira beach

An operation to evacuate people trapped on Sivira beach in Chalkidiki is under way. One Coast Guard vessel and nine private boats are at the scene, with a second Coast Guard vessel now heading to the area.

Fire front moves south of Sivira, Coast Guard on standby

A fire front is moving south from Sivira, Fire Service spokeswoman Efi Papavramopoulou told SKAI television.

At the same time, a Coast Guard speedboat and other vessels are stationed off Fourka beach and will move to evacuate residents there if necessary.

Firefighting forces reinforced, 16 aircraft now in operation

Firefighting forces battling the blaze in Sivira have been reinforced further. A total of 142 firefighters are on the ground, including four ground crews from the Second Special Disaster Response Unit (EMODE), backed by 51 vehicles. Nine aircraft and seven helicopters have also been deployed, one of which is coordinating the operation. Municipal water tankers and heavy machinery are also assisting with the firefighting effort.

“My home is gone, my dogs are gone”: Sivira resident’s testimony

“Everything has been destroyed. All the houses were burned inside,” one resident said, adding: “My dogs are gone, this is the only one I managed to save,” pointing to the pet on camera. “My house is right here. It’s gone,” she told ERT, Greece’s state broadcaster.

UPDATES

Major fire in Chalkidiki – fronts also active in Aetolia-Acarnania and Ilia

• A major fire has broken out in Chalkidiki, in northern Greece, with the 112 emergency alert system sending evacuation orders to residents of Sivyri and Fourka.
  
• A fire is also under way in Aetolia-Acarnania, in western Greece, in the area of Makynia, where a 112 evacuation message has been sent. A separate blaze has broken out in Potamoula.
  
• A fire is burning in Ilia, in the western Peloponnese, with residents of Vartholomio receiving a 112 message telling them to be on standby.
  
• A fire has also broken out in Boeotia, in central Greece, in the Akontio area.
  
• Gale-force winds with gusts exceeding 100 km/h are forecast over the next 48 hours. Authorities have warned which areas will be affected, with sea crossings expected to be disrupted.