Serious Concerns Over Gaps in Kalymnos’ Civil Protection and Flammable Urban Lots
The major wildfire that broke out in the Voutsani area at midday on Thursday, July 30, 2026, was the focus of a press conference held on Friday by Kalymnos Mayor Ioannis Mastrokoukos and Deputy Mayor for Everyday Municipal Services Anastasios Trikoilis.
The Mayor expressed relief that the blaze had been brought under control, while noting that Kalymnos was now “counting its wounds” and would have to focus on repairing the damage. He thanked residents, volunteers, municipal services and reinforcements from Rhodes and Kos, stressing that their rapid and coordinated response helped prevent an even more serious disaster.
According to the Mayor, the fire spread rapidly because of multiple scattered outbreaks, burning a large area extending from the slopes of Voutsani towards the landfill and the Akti area. Of particular concern was the fire’s proximity to local fuel-storage facilities. He warned that the consequences could have been extremely serious had the flames reached the petroleum tanks.
Mr Mastrokoukos renewed his call for the island’s Volunteer Fire Station to be upgraded into a permanently staffed Fire Service Unit, requesting the immediate deployment of 10 to 12 professional firefighters. An island with approximately 18,000 residents, he argued, cannot continue relying almost entirely on volunteers to confront major wildfires.
He also pointed out that this was the fifth fire recorded on Kalymnos within just 10 to 15 days. However, he stressed that determining the causes remains the sole responsibility of the Fire Service and declined to speculate before the investigation is completed.
The Mayor acknowledged that the current municipal structure of Civil Protection does not fully meet the island’s needs and said Kalymnos requires an independent and properly organized service, with a director, dedicated personnel and modern equipment.
He attributed the existing shortcomings to long-standing failures by previous municipal administrations, adding that procedures to improve the service and acquire new equipment are already underway.
The Deputy Mayor stated that lots within the city are being cleared of dry flammable vegetation; priority has been given to certain lots that the Fire Service has pointed out.
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