Chryssochoidis: Firefighting aircraft have now put in double the time of the entire 2020 fire season

During a briefing on the ongoing fires, the minister said, "I want to stress that during the entire fire season last year and until October 31, 2020, aircraft operated a total of 3,161 hours. This year and to the present, they have already operated 6,190 hours. This indicates the seriousness and the large number of fires we had this year."

On Wednesday, a total of 29 aircraft operated before sunset, including the Russian-lent Beriev water-dropping plane.

For the region of Vilia, in western Attica, where a wildfire still rages since Monday, he said that firefighters had to deal with a compact forest, without any cultivations that could have served as natural resistance zones, and with constantly changing wind direction, as well as with the absence of a road network to access key points.

There were a total of 42 new fires breaking out today, he said, and firefighters in Greece are dealing with 84 fires.

At the area of Vilia, where the concern was to prevent the fire from entering the village, Chryssochoidis said there were several rekindlings of the fire, in some cases nearing settlements, several of which have been evacuated.

At the firefront in the region are agencies, RescEU forces from EU member states, the Greek Army, the Region, all townships of the area, volunteer groups and residents of the area, with local heavy machinery and water trucks.

He said that 427 firefighters are at the site, with 9 ground teams and 149 fire trucks.

The minister also revealed that there were several arrests in August for arson, leading to what he called "an uneven battle and a huge cost" to the area.

"We are all on alert," he said, and reiterated that citizens should follow the directions of authorities for their safety.