The Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Evangelos Tournas, conducted an on-site inspection today in areas of Western Attica.
He visited the site to examine and assess on-site the progress of fire prevention and protection projects, and in particular the firebreaks designed to protect Mount Parnitha, which are being carried out within the framework of the relevant actions and responsibilities of the agencies involved.
“We have entered a difficult period, with meltemia—strong winds—combined with rising temperatures. We are facing a situation that poses risks,” Mr. Tournas stated, among other things, and emphasized that prevention efforts and inspections by all agencies will continue. At the same time, he urged citizens who have not yet completed their cleanup efforts to do so immediately and to be very careful when working outdoors.
As announced by the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, the on-site inspection examined issues related to the condition of the mixed zones and the progress of preventive measures being implemented in the area.
Particular emphasis was placed on the firebreaks that have been created along the Mornos Canal, in collaboration with the Directorate of Construction and Natural Disaster Response (DIKAFKA), with the aim of preventing fires from spreading from grasslands to forested areas.
The minister also visited a DIKAFKA vehicle that is clearing access routes to enable immediate intervention by firefighting forces.
The on-site inspection was attended by the Secretary General for Civil Protection, Nikos Papaefstathiou; the Secretary General for Natural Disasters and State Aid, Petros Kampouris; the Chief of Staff of the Fire Department, Lieutenant General Athanasios Balafas; the Commander of DIKAFKA, Major General Nikolaos Gretsas; the mayor of Aspropyrgos, Ioannis Ilias, and the director of the Western Attica Forest Service, Sotiria Fragou.
In a statement, Evangelos Tournas, Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, said:
“We are in Western Attica as part of our visits focused on wildfire protection, in order to see firsthand everything that is being done, both through the Antinero programs and the work carried out by the Directorate for the Restoration of Natural Disaster Impacts. DIKAFKA has been stationed here in the area for several days now and is carrying out work on firebreak zones, in order to protect the forest and wooded areas of Parnitha from potential fires that might break out and spread upward.”
The minister emphasized that “preventive work is continuing; it is not stopping. It is being carried out by all of us—the Ministry of the Environment and forestry services across the country—through the Antinero programs, as well as by DIKAFKA, wherever requested by the forestry services and the Fire Department.”
He then noted that the work will continue next month as well and emphasized: “I have said it before and I will say it again: this effort never stops. And I appeal to all our fellow citizens who have not yet completed their cleanup efforts to do so, in order to protect their own lives and property, as well as the lives and property of their neighbors.”
He then referred to the difficult period caused by the meltemia winds, strong winds, and rising temperatures—all of which are also recorded on the Fire Risk Forecast Map—and concluded:
“I would therefore like to appeal to all our fellow citizens to be careful when working outdoors and in open areas, so that we do not have any fires break out. Under these conditions, it will be very difficult to contain them. So, let’s all be careful so that we don’t find ourselves facing difficult situations.”
