Kikilias: The Fire is Extremely Dangerous, We are Fighting Under Dramatic Conditions

Speaking about an extremely dangerous fire that “we are fighting under dramatic conditions,” the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias, provided an update on the fire in northeastern Attica shortly after 11 AM.

According to Mr. Kikilias, the main fronts are two: one towards Kallitechnoupoli and the other towards Grammatiko, while “the situation has improved in Dionysos, Varnavas, and Mikrochorio.”

As he mentioned, the dramatic conditions are created by strong winds, prolonged drought, and the very difficult and rugged terrain in dense, unburned forest areas.

Detailed Statement by Vassilis Kikilias

Since yesterday afternoon, the residents of northeastern Attica have been struggling with an extremely dangerous fire, which we have been fighting for over 20 hours under dramatic conditions due to strong winds, prolonged drought, and very difficult and rugged terrain in dense, unburned forest areas.

Currently, there is a fierce battle on two fronts: one in the Kallitechnoupoli area and the other in the Grammatiko area. The situation has improved in Dionysos, Varnavas, and Mikrochorio.

A total of 670 firefighters, 27 commando teams, 183 vehicles, and 32 aerial units (17 airplanes and 15 helicopters) are involved in the operation. The winds are currently at 7 Beaufort and are expected to remain very strong for the next few hours.

I want to be clear: The response with both ground and aerial units at the initial outbreak in Varnavas was immediate. The first aerial unit responded just 5 minutes after the fire started, as it was already in the air conducting a loaded patrol, and the first ground units arrived within the first 7 minutes. Gradually and in short intervals, forces were continuously reinforced, with aerial units eventually reaching 29 and firefighters exceeding 500.

Unfortunately, the prediction by the Risk Assessment Committee, which placed Attica and other regions of Greece on red alert, has been confirmed. We will continue with all our strength until the fire is brought under control and every last hotspot is extinguished.