Greek island wildfire contained as crews extinguish hotspots
Firefighting crews continue battling a major wildfire on Greece's Paros island that has prompted mass evacuations, with authorities reporting progress but warning of ongoing risks from winds and hotspots.
The blaze erupted Tuesday near the island’s landfill facility in the central Kambi area before advancing overnight through Agkairia toward Trypiti in the southwestern part of the island, according to Kathimerini (EN). Fire service spokesman Yiannis Artopios confirmed that no residential areas are currently under immediate threat, though crews are working aggressively to halt further spread of the flames.
Artopios warned against premature optimism, stating that smoldering sections and scattered active fire fronts continue to pose risks throughout the affected region.
Two Canadair water-bombing aircraft and two firefighting helicopters have been deployed since early Wednesday morning, supported by substantial ground forces working to establish containment lines. Deputy mayor for civil protection Charalambos Giourtzidis indicated the fire has been largely confined to the Farangas and Trypiti zones, though flare-ups are ongoing and low-lying vegetation continues to burn.
Officials have not yet been able to conduct a full damage assessment regarding potential impacts to structures, as the fire zone contains numerous scattered vacation homes and holiday residences.
Mass Evacuations Ordered
Multiple communities have been evacuated since the fire’s outbreak. During overnight operations, emergency 112 alert systems directed Agkairia residents to relocate toward Alyki beach in the southwest. Meanwhile, residents of Trypiti, Aspro Horio, Glyfa, and Pyrgaki received orders to evacuate toward Dryos, a coastal village in the southeast.
Earlier evacuation orders issued Tuesday affected residents of Agios Charalambos, Kambi, Bougados, Aneratza, and Kamari.
Authorities maintain heightened alert status as Paros remains under a high wildfire risk classification. Strengthening winds anticipated in the coming hours are expected to complicate containment efforts and increase the potential for the fire to break through existing control lines.
With information from Kathimerini (EN)
