30 fires break out in 24 hrs; 3 people arrested, fined

A total of 30 fires broke out in the last 24 hours of which 23 were dealt with immediately in their initial stages, while firefighters are still facing 7.

The Fire Department has called on all citizens to be particularly careful on Friday, when the threat of fire is very high (category 4 of 5) and to follow related authorities' directions.

In other terms, the Fire Department's investigators made three arrests and issued fines on Wednesday to three people on Crete, Samothrace, and in Giannitsa of Pella - the first two for lighting a fire in the open and the third for dumping of flammable material.

Meanwhile, a wildfire that broke out in Vaskina of Arcadia mnidday on Thursday has been placed under partial control.

Very high risk of fire in six Greek regions on Friday

A very high risk of fire (risk category 4) is forecast in six Greek regions on Friday, according to the Fire Risk Forecast Map issued by the General Secretariat of Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr). 

Very high fire risk is predicted on Friday for the following areas:

-Region of Thessaly (regional units of Larissa, Magnesia)
-Region of Central Greece (regional units of Fthiotida, Fokida, Viotia and Evia)
-Region of Crete (regional unit of Chania)
-Region of Attica (including the island of Kythera)
-Region of Western Greece (regional unit of Achaia)
-Region of Peloponnese (regional units of Corinth, Argolida, Lakonia and Arcadia)

The General Secretariat of Civil Protection has informed the state services involved, as well as regional and local authorities in the above areas to be on heightened alert to deal promptly with any outbreak of fire. It has also warned the public to avoid any activities outdoors that may accidentally start a fire, such as bonfires, use of machinery that creates sparks, barbecues, handling beehives or throwing away lit cigarettes.