Κάρυστος: πυρκαγιά στο Κόμιτο με εναέρια μέσα

A forest fire broke out at approximately 13:00 on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 in Komito Karystos, in southern Evia, mobilizing ground and air forces of the Fire Department. The two sources that recorded the incident give slightly different numbers of forces: lawandorder.gr, at 1:40 p.m., reports 25 firefighters and eight vehicles, while protothema.gr, at 1:24 p.m. and based on a post by the Fire Brigade, mentions 29 firefighters and ten vehicles. The discrepancy is probably due to the gradual strengthening of forces and not to contradictory information. Both sources agree that a 20th Special Forestry Operations Division infantry unit is operating. The business developed at a time of high temperatures and low relative humidity.

Four aircraft and a helicopter are providing support from the air. The posting of the Fire Department adds to the participation of volunteer firefighters and the assistance of local government water trucks, a practice routinely applied in areas where water transport requires long distances. Neither text mentions a danger to homes, evacuations of settlements or sending a message from 112. The case remained active in the afternoon, with reports recorded at 2:07 p.m. and at 2:16 p.m. in other media, with no further official information on the progress of the extinguishing.

On that day, the wider area was in category 3 of the Daily Fire Risk Prediction Map, i.e. at high risk. Southern Euboea combines strong northerly winds, dry vegetation and steep terrain, elements that make it difficult for ground forces to approach and accelerate the propagation of the front. For this reason, the immediate deployment of aerial means in the initial stages is a standing tactic in the area, as a fire that will escape the first control is extremely difficult to contain. This combination has in the past led to long-lasting fires in Karystos and Kafirea.

To investigate the causes, the Evia Arson Investigation Team was mobilized. This action is typical of any forest fire that mobilizes significant forces and does not prejudge the characterization of the cause. Evia has recorded a series of incidents this year, while the island remains one of the areas with the largest area of ​​burned forests in the last decade. The Fire Department reminds that citizens who notice a fire must immediately call 199, while during the fire fighting season any use of fire in outdoor areas is prohibited. More events in Fire.