Vathrakogiannis: “Zero-visibility conditions due to winds and smoke”

Chief Fire Officer Vasilis Vathrakogiannis, director of the Strategic Planning and Communications Directorate at the Fire Service Headquarters, spoke of strong winds and thick smoke creating zero-visibility conditions and turbulence during the Fire Service briefing.

After expressing the condolences of the political and operational leadership of the Fire Service for the three firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty, he stressed that firefighting forces were operating on multiple fronts, mainly in Paros, Trikala, Messinia, Boeotia, Gytheio, Kalymnos, Andros, Naxos, Lesvos, Rethymno, Sitia and Heraklion, Crete.

He once again highlighted the problems caused by the gale-force winds, which, as he said, “in every case favour the spread of the fires”.

At the same time, Mr Vathrakogiannis stressed that “for tomorrow, a very high risk of fire is forecast in most areas of the country, while even more difficult conditions are expected in the coming period”.

Mr Vathrakogiannis’ full statement:

“Good evening,

Yesterday was a difficult day for the Fire Service.

Three fellow firefighters lost their lives in the line of duty. Seasonal Firefighter Pantelis Diamantakis and Five-Year Service Firefighter Emmanouil Stratidakis died in the Rethymno fire, while Second Lieutenant Konstantinos Laimodetis died in the Gytheio fire. The entire political and operational leadership of the Fire Service once again expresses its sincere and deepest condolences to their families and loved ones.

Firefighting forces have been operating on multiple fronts since yesterday and are battling around the clock to contain the raging wildfires. More specifically, yesterday and today they have been operating mainly in Paros, Trikala, Messinia, Boeotia, Gytheio, Kalymnos, Andros, Naxos, Lesvos, Rethymno, Sitia and Heraklion, Crete.

Strong winds and thick smoke are creating zero-visibility conditions and turbulence, making water drops in Paros and Crete particularly difficult or even impossible. In several cases, wind speeds exceeded 100 kilometres per hour.

All fronts will be reinforced with additional forces in the coming hours.

At this moment, strong ground forces and aerial assets continue to operate on the island of Paros. At the fires in Krya Vrysi and Asomatos in Rethymno, 296 firefighters, including 15 forest commando units, and 66 vehicles are operating. In Rethymno, 16 emergency messages had to be issued through the 112 service to ensure the safe and timely evacuation of residents.

It goes without saying that the particular nature of our country’s island complex creates difficulties in the immediate deployment and positioning of forces. Nevertheless, forces were mobilised from Attica, Western Greece, Thessaloniki and elsewhere, and were transferred to the operational fronts.

Fire Service units across the country have been placed and remain on general alert, as have all Civil Protection forces.

We stress that local teams from the Directorate for Combating Arson Crimes are carrying out frequent patrols throughout the country.

In the firefighting effort, we are being continuously assisted by all relevant Civil Protection agencies, the Forestry Services, the regional and municipal authorities, the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, the Hellenic Police, the Hellenic Coast Guard, the National Centre for Emergency Care, as well as Fire Service volunteers and Civil Protection volunteer groups.

We are at the height of the wildfire season.

The gale-force winds currently prevailing are, in every case, contributing to the spread of the fires. For tomorrow, a very high risk of fire is forecast in most areas of the country, while even more difficult conditions are expected in the coming period. Every fire that breaks out spreads very quickly, grows to a large scale and is extremely difficult to contain.

We strongly urge everyone to avoid any actions that could cause a fire.

A further briefing will follow should there be any new developments.”