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Greece

Greece - Wildfires, update (Greek Civil Protection, EFFIS, media) (ECHO Daily Flash of 24 August 2023)

  • As of 24 August, wildfires continue to burn across Greece, most affected areas being Alexandroupolis, Dadia and Rodopi Municipalities in East Macedonia, Fyli Municipality in north-eastern Attica (Central Greece), Viotia (Central Greece), and Evia Island. A total of 99 forest fires, including 55 occurring in the last 24 hours.
  • According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), this is the largest wildfire in Europe since records started in 2000, with a burnt area of 73,365 hectares.
  • The Greek Civil Protection reports, as of 23 August, that Melia, Koila, Gratini, Low, Velkio and Mesti Municipalities, in the Alexandroupolis, Dadia and Rhodope areas, have been evacuated. According to media, as of 23 August, 700 people were evacuated from a camp in the Amygdaleza region (Attica Region) and 150 people were evacuated from Menidi village in West Greece Region.
  • Through the UCPM, 8 aircraft from the rescEU reserves have been deployed, as well as 270 firefighters and 47 vehicles from 9 Member States.
  • The Copernicus Emergency Management Service was activated five times with eight maps produced so far.
  • Over the next 48 hours, according to EFFIS, the fire danger forecast is expected to be from high to extreme across Greece.