Evia Wildfire: Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Visits Amid Ongoing Blaze

Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Vassilis Kikilias visited the village of Petries in Evia, where a wildfire has been raging since yesterday afternoon.

The fire, which began in a forested area, quickly intensified due to strong northern winds, according to the Fire Department.

A firefighter sustained minor burns while battling the blaze and was treated at the Aliveri Health Center.

Last night, an emergency alert was issued via the 112 service, advising residents of the Koskina area to evacuate towards Zarakes due to the fire's progression. The alert, issued at 20:15, followed an earlier one at 15:46, urging residents to leave Koskina.

The Fire Department reported focused efforts between the settlements of Petries and Krieza, and south of Petries towards the Dystos plain. Due to the fire, vehicle traffic has been temporarily halted on the Lepoura-Karystos road from Krieza to Koskina, and on the Petries-Agioi Apostoloi road. Drivers are urged to exercise caution and follow traffic officers' directions.

Firefighting efforts have been bolstered with 120 firefighters, two ground units, 36 vehicles, 16 aircraft, and 8 helicopters. Additional support includes water trucks from local authorities, construction equipment from the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA), and reinforcements from Agia Marina and Piraeus.

The Coast Guard and Hellenic Police are assisting with evacuations, coordinated from the Mobile Operations Center OLYMPOS. Four emergency messages have been sent via 112 to residents in the wider area.

Over the past 24 hours, 54 wildfires have been recorded across Greece, with 43 promptly contained, while firefighting teams continue to manage 11 active blazes, according to Fire Brigade spokesperson Vasilis Vathrakogiannis.

Read more: Greece wildfires