Firefighters battling Evros, Rodopi fires in the north and dispersed fires on Mt. Parnitha, Attica

The fires in Evros and Rodopi, NE Greece, were still burning on Monday night, with European rescEU forces from four EU countries and Albania contributing to the forces there.

Specifically, in the Evros prefecture fires were burning in Lefkimmi, Leptokarya, and Tris Vrysses. Besides Greek firefighting forces, there were 2 airplanes from Cyprus helping, 16 firefighters with 3 fire trucks from the Czech Republic, 39 firefighters and 8 fire trucks from Slovakia, 28 firefighters from Serbia and, through a bilateral agreement, 46 firefighters and 5 fire trucks from Albania.

In Rodopi, firefighters dealt with rekindlings in Kassitera and Kirki, with the help of 36 firefighters and 5 fire trucks from Bulgaria.

In Mt. Parnitha, strong firefighting forces were dealing with dispersed fire pockets, especially on the mountain’s southwestern side, near the Fyli Fortress (Frourio Fylis), north of Athens. In Boeotia (Viotia), rekindlings flared up at the areas of Stiri and Kyriaki.

Overall, firefighters in Greece faced 74 fires on Monday, with 27 of these breaking out in the last 24 hours. Most of the latter were dealt with immediately at their early stages, the Fire Brigade said.

A large number of volunteer firefighters, forces from the Armed Forces, the Greek police, and regional water trucks and earth machinery have also been included in firefighting efforts, while regional investigators are looking into the causes of fires.

The danger of fires breaking out will remain high on Tuesday as well, in several regions of Greece, authorities said. The Fire Brigade remains on general alert while patrolling also continues by air and ground.