An alert has been issued in Greece due to the increased risk of wildfires, with fire departments on constant standby in Attica and Northern Greece.

The battle against the flames continues at the old Badminton Theatre in Goudi; the fire in Chalkoutsi, Oropos, has been brought under control; and Civil Protection is warning of a very high fire risk in Thessaloniki and Kilkis.

Goudi

Firefighting operations are underway to extinguish the fire that broke out at the historic Badminton Theatre building in Goudi Metropolitan Park.

According to the Fire Department, the fire started inside the building and has now been contained within it, with no risk of spreading to outdoor areas. The fire has caused part of the roof to collapse, though no reports of people being trapped have been received so far.

Thirty-eight firefighters are working to extinguish the blaze, using ten water tankers, two aerial ladder trucks, one breathing apparatus vehicle, and six support vehicles.

Volunteers are also assisting in the operation, as well as water trucks from the municipalities of Athens, Zografou, and Papagos-Cholargos.

In addition, a message was issued by 112 to citizens in the wider area, providing self-protection instructions due to smoke from the fire.

Throughout the incident, ESKEDIK is receiving continuous footage from a drone via visual and thermal cameras, while a team from the Athens Arson Crimes Investigation Division (DAEE) to investigate the causes of the fire.

Chalkoutsi, Oropos

The fire that broke out in an agricultural and forested area in Chalkoutsi, Oropos, is now subsiding and has no active front.

According to the Fire Department, the fire started on a plot of land where a house was located and spread to olive trees, while there are residences in the surrounding area.

The immediate response by firefighting crews limited the spread of the fire. As reported by the Fire Department, at the time the fire broke out, a wildland firefighting aircraft was conducting a scheduled water-laden patrol and immediately began dropping water, allowing ground crews to respond quickly at the main front.

A total of 35 firefighters, along with a foot patrol team from the 4th EMODE unit and 11 vehicles, were mobilized to extinguish the fire, while two helicopters and two aircraft provided aerial support. Water tankers from the Municipality of Oropos also assisted in the operation.

Northern Greece

The Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection is issuing a strong call for increased vigilance to all citizens of Greece, with particular emphasis on the Region of Central Macedonia, as the area has been particularly hard-hit by wildfires in recent days, while parts of it are under “orange” alert today, Monday, July 13, according to fire risk forecasts.

“On days of heightened risk, even a small act of negligence can have serious consequences. Adhering to preventive measures and avoiding any dangerous activities outdoors can prevent a fire from breaking out and play a decisive role in protecting human life, property, and the natural environment,” the Civil Protection Agency said, among other things, in a statement.

Furthermore, it noted that “the experience of the past few days shows that even a small fire, when combined with high temperatures, dry vegetation, strong winds, and intense human activity, develop into a particularly dangerous fire in a very short time, with serious consequences.”

Special caution is required when using machinery that produces sparks, when using outdoor grills, when smoking bees, and when discarding lit cigarettes. At the same time, it is reminded that during the fire season, the burning of fields and crop residues is prohibited.

Civil Protection reminded that if citizens notice smoke or a fire, they are urged to immediately notify the Fire Department by dialing 199 and to strictly follow the instructions of the competent authorities, as well as the messages broadcast on 112.

According to the Fire Risk Forecast Map issued by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection for today, Monday 13 July, a very high fire risk (risk category 4) is forecast for the Regional Units of Thessaloniki and Kilkis.

For these specific areas, the Civil Protection Action Plan for addressing risks from wildfires is being implemented, which provides, among other measures, for a precautionary ban on vehicle traffic and the presence of visitors in national parks, forests, and other “vulnerable” areas, when deemed necessary.

For more information and guidelines on how to protect yourself from the dangers of wildfires, citizens can visit the website of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection at civilprotection.gov.gr.