According to an update from the Fire Department, the situation regarding the fire that broke out today in an agricultural and forested area near Oinoi in the Municipality of Mandra-Eidyllia has improved. As reported by the Fire Department, firefighting forces, which have been further reinforced, continue to operate, tackling several hotspots, mainly within the perimeter of the forested area.

The fire, which broke out shortly before 3:30 p.m. in the Sfaka area, started in a patch of dry grass and spread into the forest; according to the Fire Department, no homes or infrastructure have been threatened so far. Four arrests for hot work in open areas in Attica – 36 agricultural and forest fires in the last 24 hours

Operating at the scene are 210 firefighters, including 10 teams of foot patrols from the 1st EMODE, numerous volunteers and Civil Protection volunteer teams, as well as 45 vehicles. From the air, operations will be conducted periodically until dusk, 29 aircraft (19 planes and 10 helicopters), two of which are dedicated to coordination.

Assistance in the firefighting effort is being provided by water tankers from the Attica Region and the Municipality of Mandra – Eidyllia, as well as heavy equipment operating in conjunction with that of the Directorate of Construction and Natural Disaster Response (DIKAFKA), to clear firebreaks.

On-site coordination of all firefighting forces is being carried out by the OLYMPOS Mobile Operations Center, while a Mobile Drone Surveillance Operations Center has also been deployed to the area.

At the same time, as noted by the Fire Department, traffic control measures continue on the Elefsina-Thebes National Road by Greek Police forces. EKAB emergency medical services are on standby, and the Hellenic Coast Guard-ELAKT has also been mobilized accordingly.

As a reminder, at 4:22 p.m., a message was issued by 112 to inform those in the wider area.

“We have contained the fire, and no homes have been burned—we evacuated seven homes in a settlement as a precaution.”

Armodios Drikos, mayor of Mandra-Eidyllia, reported an improvement in the situation at the fire front, which broke out and is burning near Oinoi. Speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA), he referred to the large-scale operation underway both from the air and on the ground, to the homes in the settlement that were evacuated as a precaution, as well as the speculation surrounding how the fire may have started.

“The situation has improved; a large number of aerial and ground resources are in operation,” Mr. Drikos told us initially, and continued: “We’ve surrounded it, established containment zones, and I believe it will be brought under full control.”

As for whether residential areas and homes are at risk, he emphasized: “There were some homes that were at risk, which is why we evacuated seven homes in a village as a precaution. Oinoi was not in danger, because we ultimately contained the fire and no homes were burned.”

Finally, regarding whether there are currently any reports on how the fire may have started, the mayor of Mandra-Eidyllia said: “There are some accounts of a cigarette being thrown from a passing car—one that was ahead in the line—which was seen by people in the cars following behind. The location and the timing coincide, as reports of a fire began just a few minutes later, and under these conditions—high temperatures and strong winds— spread rapidly. We do not know if this is to blame, but it is a strong indication and will be investigated.”’

Source: APE-MPE