Kigilias on fire: the situation is difficult – 5 measures decided in the interim meeting [βίντεο]

After an emergency cabinet meeting held before noon on Monday (21/8), Civil Defense Minister Vassilis Kigilias announced emergency measures to tackle and prevent fires.

After the meeting, Vasilis Kigilias said the situation at the fire fronts in Alexandroupolis, Evia, Kavala, Viotia and Komotini was “very difficult”, while he added that “the explosions cannot be easily brought under control”.

Proceedings taken at Extraordinary Meeting – Notice of Kigilia

A statement from the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Defense, Vasilis Kikilia, reads:

“The last 48 hours, and unfortunately the next 48 hours, have proved to be critical with strong winds and high temperatures as outbreaks cannot be brought under control easily.

As of midnight last night, there were 53 forest fires and 14 separate eruptions in Evros alone.

The situation in Alexandroupoli and Tatia, while simultaneous large fires in Evia, Kavala, Boeotia, Comodini, are extremely difficult.

Therefore, an extraordinary cabinet meeting was held with fellow ministers, environment, civil defense and shipping, fire brigade, armed forces, heads of ELAS and the coast guard and the commander of the EYP. .”

The decision was made:

First of allIn Attica, Boeotia, Evia, Kavala and Thessaloniki, at least until 8 a.m. Wednesday, access to hillsides and suburban forests is prohibited with the help of Greek police.

SecondlyIncreased patrolling and presence of armed forces in all the above fire prone areas.

ThirdlyProhibition of any outdoor activity by citizens that may pose a fire hazard.

Fourth112 Strict use of evacuation means, the risk of entrapment and consequent loss of life is very high.

And the fifthIf deemed necessary, we will use all possible means to reinforce the efforts made by all operational forces involved.

Who participated in the Intermediate meeting?

Minister of State Agis Skourtsos, Minister of Environment and Energy Theodoros Skilakakis, Minister of Civil Defense Yannis Oikonomo, Minister of Shipping and Islands Policy Miltiadis Varvisiotis, Deputy Minister of State attended the meeting. Minister of Interior Theodoris Livanios, Deputy Minister in addition to the Prime Minister, Thanasis Kontogeorgis, Deputy Ministers of Climate Crisis and Civil Defense, Evangelos Tournas and Christos Triandopoulos, Secretary General of Forestry, Efstathios Stathopoulos, Secretary General of Civil Defense, Director General of Forestry Vassilis Papageorgiou, President of GEE Vangelis Koutoufos , General Konstantinos Floros, Chief of the Hellenic Police, Lieutenant General Lazaros Mavropoulos, Chief of the Coast Guard – Hellenic Coast Guard Georgios Alexandrakis, Chief of the Fire Brigade, Lieutenant General Georgios Pournares and Commander of ESKEDIK. , Major General Georgios Vagias. It is noteworthy that the Governor of EYP, Themistocles Demiris, also participated in the meeting.

Report by Vasilis Kikilia