Sixty four wild- and forest fires occurred on Sunday, July 23, the Fire Service announced earlier, adding that there are a total of 82 fires to deal with.
At the same time, more fires occurred later in several parts across the country among them in Evia, Aigio, Epidavros, Corfu.
The fire that still concerns a large number of fire brigades is that of Rhodes. There are 266 firefighters with 16 groups of infantry departments and 55 vehicles and 10 aircraft and 5 helicopters periodically operate from the air.
In almost all the open fires, there was no shortage of flare-ups today, the Fire Service said.
In some cases they created a large front that reached close to settlements, such as the one we had at noon very close to the Asklepiion of Rhodes.
KARYSTOS
In Platanisto Karystos, south Evia, 3 different fire outbreaks occurred at the same time, of which one outbreak has been controlled and in the other two, strong ground forces and 6 aircraft are operating from the air.
In Karystos the fire has reached proportions and for this reason, a message was issued by 112 and the evacuation of Livadi, Potami, Pernaraki and Platanistos settlements towards Karystos is currently underway.
Despite the adverse conditions, strong forces, ground and air, continue to operate, in many fires in Yliki of Thebes, Metohi of Epidaurus, Dervenaki of Achaia, Astakos of Messolonghi and Amygdalia of Volos.
Short after the FS briefing another fire broke out on the island of Corfu.
CORFU
According to state broadcaster ERT, the fire on Pantokratoras mountain and spread on several fronts on both the north and south side of the mountain top and thus in the areas of Loutses and Perithia.
Trees and grassland are burning.
Short before 9 p.m. an evacuation message was sent to residents of 5 villages – Portes, Megkoula, Simies, Palia Peritheia and Saga – to evacuate to Kassiopi.
Firefighters in the area were supported by 2 aircraft and one helicopter that, however, stopped their operation by sun set.
A firefighter reportedly suffered an fainting incident, most probably due to smoke. He was battling the fire front in Palia Perithea.
AIGIO at Gulf of Corinth
A big fire is threatening settlements on the Peloponnese side of the Gulf of Corinth.
The fire, actually three fires that broke out almost at the same time between Aigio and Diakofto in the Gulf of Corinth
RHODES
The region of Southern Rhodes was declared in a state of emergency on Sunday as the fires continue on the sixth consecutive day.
State ERT reported at 9 p.m. that the fire front from Appolonas is approaching the settlement of Malona and is currently 4 km away.
Residents of Malona were ordered to evacuate as strong winds.
Read all about the FIRES ON RHODES at KTG.
Accordinf to the Fire Service, firefighters continue to battle the blaze on Rhodes,
Evacuations on the island began on Saturday night, in the largest such effort Greece has ever seen. Initial police reports spoke of nearly 19,000 people evacuated preventatively, of whom 16,000 were transported by land and 3,000 by sea.
Due to The strong winds and flames at points reaching up to 5 meters, the following villages and towns were evacuated for preventative reasons: Kiotari, Gennadi, Pylonas, Laerma, Lardos, Lindos, Kalathos Malona, Asklipio, Pevkos, Massair, Haraki, and visitors at hotels in these areas, the Dodecanese Police Directorate sad on Sunday.
Special needs individuals were evacuated by police vans, but most were transported on tourist buses, Port Authority vessels, and private boats requisitioned by the Port Authority.