Greece: Forest fire in Floca prompts evacuation order

A forest fire erupted in the Floca region of the West Achaia municipality in Greece in the early hours of Friday, prompting a swift mobilization of emergency services. Around 5:00 AM, residents in the affected area received an alert via the 112 emergency system, urging them to evacuate immediately towards the community of Arla for their safety.

Responding to the emergency, a significant contingent of firefighters is currently engaged in battling the flames. The operation involves 114 firefighters, five teams from specialized forest firefighting units (EMODEs 6, 9, and 18), 27 vehicles, four aircraft, and three helicopters. Local government water trucks and heavy machinery are also supporting the firefighters' efforts.

The fire is situated in a forested area, and the evacuation order highlights the potential danger to nearby communities. The 112 Greece emergency service shared an alert on social media, emphasizing the need for residents in Floca to evacuate towards Arla and follow the authorities' instructions.

This incident occurs amidst ongoing fire concerns in other parts of Greece, with reports of receding fires in Andros and Kalymnos, but new flare-ups in Paros. A separate fire was also reported near Archontochori in Agrinio. The situation in Achaia underscores the challenges faced by authorities during the fire season.