New fronts in Chios, Aitoloakarnania and Iraklion

The fire that broke out in the Fyta region of Chios is still in progress, with 45 fire fighters, 13 vehicles, 50 hikers, 4 airplanes and 1 helicopter on the spot. Another fire has broken out in Malesiada, Aitoloakarnania, where 14 fighters, 6 vehicles, 2 planes and 1 helicopter are fighting to put it out.

Yet another fire has erupted in the Sgourokefali region in Heraklion, Crete where, 16 fighters, 8 vehicles, 7 hikers and one helicopter are operating.

However, the large fire that broke out 4 days ago in Evros has been in abatement since Saturday night. According to the FD, 35.000 acres have been burned down, while local authorities say the fire may have burned more than 70.000 acres. Once again, the ecological disaster is etched in big black letters after all the uncontrolled fires that erupted across the country.

Ground and air operations are still in progress in order to minimize re-eruptions due to strong winds in the regions of Dipotamos and Ipsoma 22.

Since early in the morning, 184 firefighters have been battling at the fire fronts with 65 vehicles, aided by 7 aircplanes and 4 helicopters, as well as vehicles of the Evros region, the army, the municipality and the Forest Authorities.

As clarified by the Evros Civil Protection, the fire has burned the southern boundaries of the Dadia National Park, but without any danger for the nuclei of absolute protection.

The large fire that had broken out in Evia is now under control.

A wildfire broke out after midday in the Monolithi forest, Preveza, due to unknown reasons. The timely and methodical operation of the fire brigade prevented the spread of the fire. 9 firefighters with 6 vehicles managed to contain it in a small area and put it out. The extensive investigation on the causes of these fires continues feverishly and so far a 35yo Albanian has been arrested as a suspect for the fire in Gavrolimni of Aitoloakarnania. Meanwhile, the Court of Alexandroupolis sentenced a 50yo farmer to 5 years' imprisonment and a fine of 20.000 euros on charges of arson by negligence. In his defense he claimed it was the sparks from the exhaust of his tractor that caused the fire in Lefkimi, where the large front of the fire erupted on Wednesday.

According to the Fire Department, 111 fires were in progress throughout the country from early Friday morning until Saturday morning: "Friday was the most difficult day of this summer and we had the largest number of forest fires within 24 hours", said a fire brigade officer.
 
Fire hazard today as well

Further measures have been taken for today as well, since the forecast by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection in the entire prefecture of Evros and Samothrace speaks of a very high risk of new fires (class 4).