Firefighters are continuing efforts to bring under control a wildfire that broke out on Monday afternoon, 31 August, in woodland in the Trapezitsa area near Konitsa, a town in the Ioannina regional unit in Epirus, north-western Greece.

The fire is burning in rugged, hard to reach terrain, which is hampering access for ground crews and has prompted a fresh reinforcement of aerial firefighting resources.

A total of 85 firefighters are at the scene, organised into 10 ground crew teams drawn from the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th and 10th Special Forest Firefighting Units (EMODE), alongside three fire engines.

Aerial support has been strengthened, with seven helicopters and four aircraft operating in rotation, dropping water on the fire fronts. The especially difficult terrain remains the main obstacle preventing fire engines from approaching, making the contribution of aircraft and helicopters critical.

Meanwhile, a drone unit from Ioannina has taken on aerial surveillance of the area, transmitting live footage of the fire’s progress and assisting with operational monitoring of the fire front.

The fire broke out at around 18:10 on Monday, after the area had experienced intense lightning activity, which is being examined as a possible cause.