Strong ground forces worked to extinguish a wildfire that broke out on Sunday afternoon, August 9, in the community of Mouzaki in the Municipality of Pyrgos, Ilia. The blaze started shortly before the entrance to the village and spread into a pine forest, where firefighters operated to contain the front.
The Fire Service Operations Center received its first notification about the fire at approximately 17:00. Firefighting forces mobilized immediately, and authorities significantly reinforced the response shortly after 18:00.
A total of 105 firefighters, including three foot-firefighter teams from the 18th Special Unit of Disaster Response Operations (EMODE), responded with 28 vehicles. The deployment also included 25 firefighters from the Czech Republic with five vehicles, operating in Greece through the European pre-positioning program.
Ground response and aerial drops
Municipal water tankers from Pyrgos arrived at the scene to assist extinguishing efforts. Deputy Regional Governor of Ilia Nikos Korovesis told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency that the fire in the Mouzaki area showed an improved picture. Korovesis said the village of Mouzaki was not currently in danger because the front was not near an inhabited area.
Korovesis stated that at least 14 work machines and water tankers from the regional unit of Ilia joined the operations alongside ground forces. He noted that at least nine aerial firefighting assets operated until the last daylight, helping significantly to control the flames.
Shortly before 9 p.m., aerial forces made their final water drops before darkness fell as conditions on the front improved. The aerial operation featured two Canadair aircraft, two Erickson helicopters, one Bell helicopter, and five Air Tractor aircraft.
Forest commandos operated on the front line in demanding locations, using specialized equipment and training to halt the progress of the fire. Firefighters continued working in difficult conditions to protect people, property, and the natural environment.
