Florina forest fire forces evacuations in Krystallopiği

A major forest fire is burning in the Krystallopiği area of Florina, Greece. The blaze broke out on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 2, and has spread through difficult and inaccessible terrain.

Emergency services have conducted an overnight battle against the flames. The firefighting force includes approximately 42 firefighters, two specialized hiking teams from the 8th EMODE, and 13 fire vehicles. Aerial support, including a firefighting helicopter and two aircraft, has been deployed to assist ground crews.

Due to the proximity of the fire to residential areas, Civil Protection issued emergency 112 alerts. Residents in Krystallopiği were ordered to evacuate preemptively toward the Prespes region via the Old Road Network or the Egnatia Odos. Local authorities, including the Region of Western Macedonia and the Municipality of Florina, are providing additional support with water tankers and heavy machinery.