The situation has improved following the wildfire that broke out in Siviri, Halkidiki, on Thursday, with Greece’s Fire Service reporting that there is no longer an active fire front, although numerous scattered hotspots remain.
A total of 227 firefighters are operating in the area, supported by 57 vehicles, 13 specialist ground teams, six firefighting aircraft and a helicopter.
'Worst is over'
The situation in Siviri was described as good following the major fire by Halkidiki Deputy Regional Governor Giannis Koufidis, who spoke to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA).
Koufidis said that, despite strong wind gusts, particularly from around dawn, firefighting forces had managed to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading.
“There was a very intense fear during the night that the fire might escape towards Fourka. It did not,” he said.
He said it could take time to extinguish all the remaining hotspots because there were so many, but added that “the worst is behind us”.
Electricity being restored
The firefighting effort was reinforced from first light, when Canadair aircraft and helicopters resumed aerial operations. Water supplies have remained available in the area, while electricity is also gradually being restored.
“We have been here all night,” Koufidis said, adding that machinery deployed by the regional authority and municipality had created extensive firebreaks from Thursday afternoon. These, he said, had significantly assisted ground crews in containing the blaze.
Deputy Minister of Interior for Macedonia and Thrace Kostas Gioulekas is also in the area, while officials remain in constant communication with Central Macedonia Regional Governor Athina Aitonidou and the Municipality of Kassandra over the possibility of declaring the area in a state of emergency.
The relevant government ministers have also been informed, according to Koufidis.
Compensation
Once the remaining fires have been fully extinguished, authorities will begin recording the damage in order to determine compensation and start repairing affected infrastructure.
Koufidis estimated that no more than seven or eight homes had been damaged, and said that none appeared to have been completely destroyed. Some vehicles were also damaged, while an initial estimate put the affected forest area at around 4,000 stremmata, or approximately 4,000 acres, according to the commander of the Halkidiki Fire Service.
He stressed, however, that the figures remained provisional and would be confirmed through detailed assessments.
The road through the affected area remains closed, with authorities prioritising the complete extinguishing of the fire. Crews from Greece’s electricity distribution network operator, HEDNO, will then inspect the area for fallen power cables before the road can reopen on the Fire Service’s instructions.
Assessing the damage
The biological treatment plant was completely destroyed by the fire, while other infrastructure was also damaged. Koufidis said the authorities would now begin the process of addressing the damage.
Weather conditions will remain an important factor in the firefighting operation. Koufidis said no rain was currently expected in Kassandra, with rainfall forecast to reach areas around Nea Moudania and Potidaia instead.
Winds of up to five Beaufort were forecast, although conditions at the Siviri junction were calmer at the time of his remarks.
“If the weather conditions continue like this, it will be a blessing,” he said.
Water supplies have not been disrupted, as authorities had anticipated possible problems and brought in large generators to keep pumping stations operating.
“We have no problem with water,” Koufidis said, adding that supplies were flowing well and that the situation was expected to improve further as electricity was gradually restored across the area.
Source: CNA
