The fire reached close to the settlement yesterday, Sunday (September 6), threatening the area. A warning message was also sent to residents via 112, Greece’s emergency alert system. Fortunately, the worst was avoided. Today, the situation is somewhat better, according to Konitsa Mayor Andreas Papaspyrourou, who told protothema.gr: “The fire front is large, but today the situation is better, and I believe that if weather conditions do not change dramatically and the aircraft remain deployed, everything will be fine.”

The fire broke out on Monday, August 31, and the fire front quickly grew to significant proportions. Strong firefighting forces were deployed from the very beginning.

“The fire has been burning for a week, and today the situation is better, particularly with regard to the front that was moving toward Konitsa. At least the settlement is no longer under threat,” Deputy Mayor Dimitris Kotsiafis told protothema.gr.

He said that there are two other active fire fronts, which are “in full development and where firefighting forces are operating.” One active front is “in the Aoos gorge toward Stomiou Monastery,” while the second is “further north, above the campsites high up on the mountain.”

The firefighting effort is difficult because, as Mr. Kotsiafis explained, the area is “very inaccessible, with dense vegetation and a large amount of combustible material on the ground.”

“There are no roads for Fire Service vehicles to reach the area, and it is also extremely difficult for the ground crews to operate at these locations. It is a difficult situation, but at least we are safe and no settlement is currently at risk,” the deputy mayor stressed.

He added that around 1,200 residents live permanently in Konitsa, but “we also have many tourists, especially on weekends.”

So far, there is no estimate of the forest area burned by the wildfire, as the two active fronts remain ongoing. Today, the firefighting operation involves 150 firefighters, 10 ground teams, 48 vehicles, and six helicopters.