A fire broke out yesterday in Vouprasio, Western Achaia, coming close and threatening to spread into the nearby protected Strofylia forest, a Natura area, until morning. However, the situation has now improved, according to the Fire Department.
Currently, 142 firefighters with 40 vehicles, 2 aircraft, and 8 ground teams are working to contain the fire in Vouprasio.
Regarding weather conditions, northern and northeastern winds are blowing at four to five Beaufort and are expected to remain at this intensity until at least the afternoon.
Seasonal firefighters are meeting with V. Kikilias today to request permanent positions following the expiration of their contracts on October 31, marking the end of the fire season.
Seasonal firefighters met today with the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vasilis Kikilias, requesting permanent positions after their contracts ended on October 31 (the close of the fire season). According to the firefighters, the meeting was unproductive.
‘The Minister was clear. He supports the proposals of the fire department’s leadership, which do not meet our needs. Those over 35, we were told, have no prospects beyond seasonal work,’ said Akis Bardakis, Vice President of the Panhellenic Union of Contract Firefighters.
‘We are asking for 12-month employment and will continue to demand it until we achieve it. None of the responses we received were satisfactory. We will update our members and decide on our next steps in the coming days. We are not at all satisfied,’ he added.
Following the meeting, Vasilis Kikilias stated that ‘of the initial 2,500 seasonal firefighters, more than 1,600 will have joined the Fire Service by 2025.
