Greek authorities successfully brought a forest fire under control on Mount Parnitha, located north of Athens, according to reports. The incident, which began on the mountain’s southern slope on Thursday, has now been contained. The response effort mobilized approximately 100 personnel, including firefighters and volunteers, alongside 22 fire engines and firefighting aircraft.
Authorities reported no injuries and no threat to residential areas, though the cause of the fire remains under investigation. The event highlights the ongoing vulnerability of the region, as Mount Parnitha has suffered extensive damage from successive summer wildfires, which have decimated vast areas of its woodland and vegetation. In response to escalating risks, Greece has implemented mandatory nationwide measures requiring property owners to clear dry vegetation to enhance fire prevention, with penalties established for non-compliance.
At the local level, Athens Mayor Haris Doukas has appealed to residents to proactively maintain their properties throughout the fire-risk season to mitigate the potential for fires to start or spread. Looking ahead to bolster national defenses, the Greek newspaper Proto Thema noted that by 2026, the country is slated to receive 164 new fire engines valued at EUR 15.5 million. This equipment includes specialized tanker trucks with capacities up to 12,000 liters, as well as high-mobility vehicles designed for operation in difficult terrain, aiming to improve the overall capacity to combat future fire incidents on the mount.
Topics: #fire #mount #parnitha
