Greece: Wildfire prompts localized evacuations in Pissona region as of July 31

Emergency crews are responding to a wildfire in the Pissona region on Evia Island as of the evening of July 31. The fire broke out near the village of Afrati just before 14:00. Strong winds are causing the fire to spread rapidly and it is threatening homes in the area; further fire growth is likely, particularly in a southwesterly direction. Around 120 firefighting personnel have been deployed to extinguish the blaze. Authorities have ordered residents of Afrati, Agios Georgios Arma, Kamari, and Kalyvia to evacuate due to the threat posed by the wildfire.

The fire could cause power outages and disruptions to transport and business in the area. The status of roads can change over the coming hours and days; authorities could close additional routes within the fire complex and evacuate more communities due to fire activity and response operations needs. Traffic disruptions are also likely during reentry periods after authorities lift evacuation orders. Low visibility from smoke and possible ashfall could contribute to traffic delays and congestion in the region.

Smoke from the fire may also noticeably worsen air quality in the area over the short term. Smoke from fires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees, plants, and possibly building materials. Such smoke can hurt the eyes, irritate the respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases. Smoke may also worsen symptoms for people with preexisting respiratory conditions, such as allergies, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).