Fire in Halkidiki: 227 firefighters on alert all night amid fears for tomorrow

Firefighting forces continue to battle a wildfire in Siviri, Halkidiki, Greece, which the Fire Service reports has significantly improved. Pedestrian units have been reinforced to operate throughout the night on scattered fronts, aiming to prevent major flare-ups and bring the fire under control.

According to Fire Chief Vasilios Vathrakogiannis, Director of Strategic Planning and Communication of the Fire Service Headquarters, firefighting units are operating around the perimeter of the affected area. Additional reinforcements are arriving from all Special Forest Firefighting Units across the country to assist during the night. Currently, 227 firefighters with 13 pedestrian units from the Special Forest Firefighting Units and 57 vehicles are engaged in the operation. They are joined by 12 firefighters with 3 vehicles from Moldova, participating in a European firefighter pre-stationing program. Water tankers and work machinery from the Municipality of Kassandra are also providing support.

Two work machines have been deployed by the Directorate of Construction and Natural Disaster Management (DIKAFKA) to create firebreaks in collaboration with the forestry service. Traffic control is managed by Hellenic Police forces, while the National Center for Immediate Aid (EKAV) has deployed 6 ambulances, 1 Mobile Medical Unit, 2 small vehicles, and 3 immediate intervention motorcycles with rescuers and medical personnel. Vathrakogiannis noted that four messages from the 112 emergency number were issued to inform and evacuate residents from the wider fire area, emphasizing the immediate mobilization of all relevant bodies on land and sea.

"The most significant incident that continues to be addressed is the fire that broke out around 2 p.m. in a forest area with low vegetation in Siviri, Halkidiki," Vathrakogiannis stated during an emergency briefing on fires across the country. He added that 481 people were safely transferred to safe locations, including the Sani beach and a ship named SPEED RUNNER JET. Despite the improved current situation, extremely difficult conditions with strong, at times gale-force winds are anticipated for Friday, August 14, increasing the risk of rekindling.