Firefighters on the Greek island of Paros have brought major wildfire fronts under control despite strong winds, allowing evacuated residents to return.
Ground crews and two helicopters contained the main fronts on Wednesday, overcoming severe wind gusts that had threatened to spread the flames across the Cyclades area.
High winds reaching up to 8 Beaufort repeatedly triggered flare-ups throughout the operation. Emergency services remained on heightened alert to prevent rekindled hotspots across the island.
Fire crews sustained relentless air and ground responses despite difficult weather patterns affecting the region.
Damage Limited, No Injuries Reported
"Everything is gradually returning to normal," said Charilaos Giourtzidis, deputy mayor for Civil Protection of the Municipality of Paros.
According to official reports, damages remained localized. Only the exterior of one residential property was affected, while two storage units were completely destroyed.
No injuries or major structural losses to homes were reported during the incident.
With conditions stabilizing, local authorities lifted emergency orders. Residents who had been evacuated as a precautionary measure could safely return home.
Emergency responders continue monitoring operations to ensure the fire does not reignite.
