Neighboring country battles flames: Fires in two regions in Greece

Greece is once again facing forest fires as summer heat sets in. Simultaneous fires have broken out in the Vasilika region near Thessaloniki and the Aliveri area of the island of Evia. While firefighting teams have launched an intensive aerial and ground-based suppression effort to prevent the fires from spreading to residential areas, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection has sent emergency alerts to the mobile phones of residents in the region. As the danger escalated, an "orange alert" was issued for numerous islands, including Crete and Chios.

The Hellenic Fire Service announced that all units have been placed on high alert, stating that the flames are spreading rapidly due to strong winds and high temperatures.

SIMULTANEOUS INTERVENTION AT TWO CRITICAL POINTS

A race against time is underway to bring the fires under control:

Thessaloniki (Vasilika): Numerous fire trucks and firefighting helicopters are intervening in the fire that started in the scrubland in the Vasilika region near Thessaloniki.

Evia Island (Aliveri): A large number of ground units and firefighting aircraft have been dispatched to the Aliveri region of Evia Island, which has experienced major fire disasters in past years, to stop the flames that are affecting both agricultural lands and forested areas.

"EMERGENCY" MESSAGES SENT TO MOBILE PHONES

The General Secretariat for Civil Protection has stepped in to ensure coordination in the fire zones and to prevent loss of life. Emergency alert messages were sent to the mobile phones of citizens and tourists in the region, urging them to remain vigilant against potential evacuation scenarios and to strictly follow the instructions of local authorities.

SECOND-HIGHEST LEVEL ALERT ON AEGEAN AND MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS

In line with data provided by meteorological experts and fire risk maps, the alert level has been raised in strategic regions where wind intensity is expected to increase. Due to the peak risk of fire outbreaks, the second-highest level, "orange alert," has been declared for the following regions:

•Chios and Psara Islands,

•Samos and Ikaria Islands,

•Dodecanese Islands (Rhodes, Kos, etc.),

•Crete Island.

Authorities have warned citizens across these islands, where the tourism season is particularly busy, not to light fires in open areas and to immediately call emergency hotlines if they see any suspicious smoke.