According to the Fire Service, aerial vehicles were actively engaged in firefighting operations on the following days:

  • August 11: 29 air assets (14 aircraft and 15 helicopters)
  • August 12: 36 air assets (17 aircraft and 19 helicopters)
  • August 13 (from first light to 1:00 pm): 20 air assets (10 aircraft and 10 helicopters)

The Fire Service explained that these aircraft operated in a rotational manner, with some vehicles engaged in firefighting while others were refuelling or rehydrating before re-entering the field. The announcement highlighted that on Monday, August 12, from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm, 20 aerial vehicles were operational across all fire fronts.

However, the data provided only covers late afternoon and evening operations on Monday, leaving a significant gap in the information concerning flights on Sunday and earlier on Monday, when the fire’s impact was most severe. This omission has fuelled ongoing concerns about the sufficiency of the initial response.

Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias, stated in his briefing that a total of 702 firefighters, 27 forest ranger teams, 199 vehicles, and 35 aerial vehicles (including 17 aircraft and 18 helicopters, three of which were used for coordination) were involved in combating the fire. Kikilias also noted the involvement of volunteers, police, military personnel, foresters, and municipal and regional authorities in the evacuation and rescue of 45 areas.

Despite these reassurances, the leader of the official opposition, Stefanos Kasselakis, raised doubts about the reported figures. During a visit to the Civil Protection Coordination Centre, Kasselakis observed only three aircraft in operation, despite claims from the Fire Department that a total of 32 aerial vehicles had been deployed since the start of the firefighting efforts.

In a formal request, Kasselakis and the SYRIZA Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Department Head, Symeon Kedikoglou, have demanded full transparency from the government. They have requested access to the recorded data and flight permits for all aerial operations from the onset of the fire until 9:30 pm on Monday, when flights ceased due to darkness.

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