The work of the Fire Department proved difficult Monday with very high temperatures combined with drought to make an explosive cocktail for the spread of wildfires. The Civil Protection is on heightened alert for Tuesday, a day when difficult conditions are also expected, with 16 areas put on orange alert and the region of Crete on red alert.
So far the largest fire front, which is currently showing a better picture, with scattered outbreaks, is being seen in the Ano Arachia area of Heraklion, Crete. 45 firefighters with 14 vehicles and three helicopters are operating at the site. The fire is burning agroforestry land. Shortly after 17:30, a “112” message was sent to residents, urging them to move away from the areas of Ano Akria, Kato Akria, Moria and Atsipades of Heraklion and head towards Asimi.
Earlier, an initial “112” message was sent to residents in the area, urging them to remain alert and follow the instructions of the authorities.
As for the other fires, in the Kalliroi area of Kilkis the fire is still burning agricultural forest land with 50 firefighters, 15 vehicles, three aircraft and a helicopter operating in the area.
Fifteen firefighters, 15 firefighters, 15 helicopters, 15 firefighters and five firefighters are on the scene.
In the Ochthia area of Aitoloakarnania the fire was contained later in the afternoon. The firefighting force was 30 firefighters, 11 vehicles, while drops were being made by two aircraft and a helicopter.
In Ioannina, in the Serziana area, the fire is also contained. No residences were threatened, and 35 firefighters with 12 vehicles and five aircraft rushed in.
No one was injured and five firefighters and five firefighters were deployed.
The front was also demarcated in Corfu, in the area of Kouloura. 16 firefighters with five vehicles and five aircraft were operating.
The picture is better in Soufli where a large fire had broken out, in a difficult terrain. 40 firefighters with 2 hiking teams of the 7th EMODE and 11 vehicles were operating at the site, while 4 helicopters and 5 aircraft were mobilized.
With no active front in Gia, where scattered foci were spotted earlier, 18 firefighters were mobilized, with a hiking team and five vehicles. Two helicopters and an aircraft were air-dropping, and a message was sent at noon by 112, through which the residents of Lygia were asked to evacuate to Pissa.
The estimates for Tuesday
Meanwhile, Crete will also be in a category 4 (very high) fire risk category tomorrow, according to the daily Fire Risk Forecast Map of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, while in addition, by decision of the Secretary General of Civil Protection, the Region of Crete is placed in a Red Code mobilization status.