Wednesday, August 13 – The Greek Fire Service has confirmed that in the last 48 hours, over 152 new agro-forestry fires have broken out across the country.

Engaged in fighting the wildfires countrywide are 4,850 firefighters plus local volunteers with 33 firefighting aircraft supporting the ground forces.

The fire services are facing an arduous battle with the fires that, in several cases, have reached dangerous proportions, while at the same time all Civil Protection organisations are heavily involved.

Evacuation orders have been issued for the public in areas of Kefalonia, Vouteni, Arta, Preveza, Vonitsa, Aitoliko, Thessaloniki, Volvi and Achaia. Thousands have had to be evacuated from the busy tourist islands of Chios and Zakynthos (Zante). On Zante, three separate fire fronts spanning more than 15km (9 miles) remain out of control. The fires have destroyed homes, tourist facilities and farmland.

Today will prove to be extremely challenging for the country’s fire services, due to the prevailing weather conditions characterised by high temperatures, low humidity levels and strong winds that in places will reach 9 Beaufort.

The public is asked to be extra careful and vigilant and report any sign of fire by phoning the general emergency number 112 or 199 for the fire service.

Update 18:00 – Major fires are ongoing in Achaia, Preveza, Zakynthos, Chios and Kefalonia,  with firefighting forces continuing to battle the flames, but strong winds are hampering their efforts. Authorities have issued further orders for evacuation, including in Achaia.

The Greek Ministry of Civil Protection has decided to declare a state of Civil Protection Emergency in the Municipality of Ziros, Preveza, as well as the Municipality of Zakynthos (Zante).

Fires are now on the outskirts of Patras, the third-largest city in Greece, with a population of around 200,000, forcing evacuations, including a children’s hospital. Patras is located in the north of the Peloponnese, on the shore of the Gulf of Patras.

Southern Europe in a Firestorm

Thousands of firefighters and volunteers from across Southern Europe have been fighting the flames relentlessly in recent days amid a new heat wave, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in many areas.

Wildfires are raging not only in Greece, but in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Sicily, Albania and Montenegro, as well as in Western Turkey.