Devastation ensues as Greece sees 45 fires break out since Friday morning, the most dangerous of which are reportedly in Argolis and Achaia.
Fires are also ongoing in areas of Boeotia, Ilia, Fthiotida, Messinia, Aitoloakarnania and Kefalonia. Firefighters are presently dealing with fires in Kranidi Argolis, Achaia and Ilia, and because of the fires, the national road Pyrgos-Patras has been closed.
Temperatures are still extremely high and wind very strong.
On top of this, the emergency number 112 is failing. According to reports it has been down since 4pm and messages cannot be sent to residents living in the areas at risk. Therefore the Ministry of Climate Crisis has asked the media to inform residents about the evacuations.
A wildfire broke out on Friday afternoon in a mixed agricultural and forested area in Mavro Lithari, Attica.
An earlier message from emergency number 112 was sent to residents of the Saronida district, warning them to be on standby because of a forest fire in their area and instructing those who are in the Mavro Lithari area in Anavyssos to evacuate in the direction of Glyfada.
According to the fire brigade, the fire started near houses. A force of 29 firefighters, with two teams on foot and nine vehicles, assisted by a helicopter from the air, volunteer firefighters and local authority water tankers, have been deployed to put out the flames.
Police proceeded to close the Athens-Sounion road to traffic between Elektras Road and Minoos Road, as a precaution due to the fire.
Wildfires still raging in Arcadia, Argolida, Greece
Reinforcements were sent to battle the fires near Megalopoli in Arcadia and at Lyrkeia in Argolida, which continued to rage unchecked on Friday afternoon. In a warning from the 112 emergency number, residents in the villages Douka Vrysi and Kefalovryso in Arcadia were ordered to evacuate toward Lyrkeia.
Regarding the fire in Megalopoli, civil protection service sources said that this started near a Public Power Corporation (PPC) installation. Forty-four firefighters, with two teams on foot, 12 vehicles, as well as six aircraft and two helicopters operating from the air, have been deployed to control the blaze.
The fire in Lyrkeia started in a forest above a village, the fire brigade said. A force of 45 firefighters with two teams on foot, 16 vehicles, one aircraft and three helicopters was ranged against it, assisted by volunteers and local authority water tankers.
Forest fire in Achaia
A forest fire started on Friday afternoon near the village of Mastrandoni in the Tritaia region of Achaia. A 112 emergency number warning was sent to local residents, warning them to be on standby in case they need to evacuate the village.
A large force of 72 firefighters, a team on foot and 25 vehicles was deployed to tackle the wildfire, assisted by a helicopter from the air.
Two fires near the industrial zone in Thiva
Two fires started within minutes of each other in an agricultural region in Thiva on Friday afternoon. The fires are burning dry grass but pose a threat to nearby businesses and factories that are in the area.
One started off the sideroad of the Athens-Lamia motorway, with the flames spreading quickly and threatening to enter an aluminum window manufacturing operation.
Firefighting forces on the ground have responded to both fires, assisted by local authority water tankers and machinery.
Related: Greece Tames Wildfire at Koropi, East of Athens; Arson Suspected
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