Greece issues very high risk of fire alert as wildfire in Mount Pangaion rages for 5th day

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – Greece has issued a very high risk of fire or category 4 alert in several regions for Monday, as the wildfire in Mount Pangaion continues to rage for the 5th consecutive day, local media said.

The fire, which is currently burning on two major fronts, has already destroyed 12,000 stremmas (1,200 hectares) of an area with low vegetation, the public broadcaster ERT reported.

Currently, 280 firefighters and 25 on-foot teams are working to extinguish the fire, with the assistance of four planes, four helicopters, and 46 vehicles of various types, the broadcaster said in the report.

Meanwhile, Greece's Civil Protection and Climate Change Ministry issued a fire warning of category 4 (very high risk of fire) for several regions of the country, including Attica, Central Greece, Peloponnese, Eastern Macedonia, and Thrace.

Noting that the relevant departments and authorities remain on high alert, the ministry urged citizens to follow the government instructions and be extremely cautious to protect themselves and the forests from fire.