Civil protection authorities have also warned of extreme fire danger in the region around Athens and other parts of southern Greece.
People on the beach and in two communities near where the fire originated were ordered to evacuate today. At least 56 firefighters are battling the flames and four aircraft are being used, a fire service official told AFP news agency.
Also in the north-east of Greece near the port city of Alexandroupolis fires are raging uncontrollably for the third day. Firefighting teams have been deployed on several fronts and are trying to stop the fire from spreading to the Dadia National Park, which was badly damaged by fires last year.
More than 200 firefighters, aircraft, and volunteer and police assistance are fighting these fires. Seven firefighters and one volunteer were injured and taken to hospital, the official said.
Over the weekend, 12 settlements were evacuated, and the civil protection authorities have called on residents to stay indoors due to the smoke. A state of emergency has been officially declared in the area.
Meteorologists predict that very hot and dry conditions, which increase the risk of fires, will continue until Friday.
Last month, about 20,000 people, mostly tourists, had to be evacuated from the island of Rhodes due to a fire. In the south of the island, an area of almost 17,770 hectares burned within ten days.
At the end of last month, Greece was hit by a heat wave unprecedented in July. In many places, the temperature exceeded 40 degrees Celsius.
2023-08-21 14:31:15
#Wildfires #continue #rage #Greece
