ATHENS – Active fire fronts were still burning in the suburbs of Gerakas, Anthousa, Pallini and Dioni, as well as on either side of Marathonos Avenue, a fire brigade spokesperson said in an emergency briefing on Wednesday morning. On the map that he showed, there were scattered fires all around the perimeter, with active fronts in the above five areas.

According to the spokesperson, emphasis was being given to the southwest side of the fire near the Attiki Odos highway and the facilities of the Athens public transport organisation, as well as on the southeast, again near the Attiki Odos highway, near the Vianex facilities. In addition, great efforts were being made to protect the urban fabric within the perimeter of the fire.

“Our top priority remains to safeguard human life but also the protection of crucial public infrastructure of vital importance and the private property of the citizens,” he said.

He reported that a strong force of 485 fire fighters, 120 fire engines and 28 ground teams were still operating against the fires, while the Romanian fire fighters remained at the scene. The mobile operations centre “Olympos” was coordinating the fire-fighting effort, with unmanned drones used to relay images of what is happening from the air. Their efforts were being assisted by five fire fighting planes and four helicopters from the air, one of which was coordinating the effort, while another four planes and three helicopters were soon to join the battle against the flames.

Additional assistance was being provided by the armed forces, the forestry service, the ambulance service, local authorities and the Hellenic Police, which had provided 626 officers and 232 vehicles to facilitate the safe movement of the citizens, their removal to safe locations and the protection of their property.

Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Christos Stylianides and the entire leadership of the ministry were at the Crisis Management Centre and were in constant communication with the ministries of health, interior and citizen protection. The spokesperson said that there were constant updates on the state of the fires so that decisions can be taken quickly for the provision of necessary assistance.