All-night battle with fire: Fire department efforts focus on Mantra, Loutraki and Rhodes.

Firefighting operations in Mandra are being intensified on the ground, with the last aerial drops being carried out around 9 am.

However, firefighters, volunteers and ordinary residents take hoses in their hands is unequal, because the wind is fierce and rekindles the fire in the dark. 250 firefighters, 8 pedestrians, 75 vehicles work at the “front” of the fire, while 11 planes and 9 helicopters participated during the day. At the same time, in another large “front”, in Loutraki, 120 firefighters, 4 pedestrians, 43 vehicles and 4 helicopters are operated during the day.

As stated in his announcement, it is noteworthy Fire department Body For operational readiness, fire department personnel across the region are on general alert to handle the increased number of service requests. fire as well as a very high risk of fire (hazard category 4).

Many flats in Mantra were vacated

The fire started from Tervenochoria And changing direction several times, by noon it had reached uncontrollable proportions, burning thousands of acres of vegetation and crops and homes.

However, during the day, the fire front moved to Mandra and residences like Ajia Chodira had to be evacuated. Earlier, a mass evacuation order was issued in the settlements of Nay Choi, Agia Sotira, Palaiochori, Panorama and Purnaria as the raging fire moved westward from noon. A little further on, another large front extends for 11 kilometers and reaches Loutrophirkos, west of Elefsina, visible from Mandras Watchtower, which is placed as a warning.

His camera Lefteri Parcalis And CNN Greece, recorded hand-to-hand fighting in the Giafa settlement, where houses were also burned. Residents had to be evacuated on several occasions.

Before in Loutraki

The positive news from the development of the fire is that the fire has been kept at a safe distance from the refineries on the Loutraki front. The fire brigade, in cooperation with the traffic police, made inhumane efforts to avoid causing trouble to critical facilities.

According to the latest information, the Isthmias fire has not crossed the national highway, although the wind direction has changed and is moving towards the southwest parallel to the national highway. 120 fire fighters with 43 vehicles are operating at Lutraki front.

New lead in Ano Vlychada

Meanwhile, a new front erupted late at night in the Ano Vlichada area of ​​Megara, part of the fire that actually started from Dervenochoria. Civil Defense Deputy Mayor of Megara, Konstantinos PhilaktosI’m talking ERT insisted that The fire is burning 200 meters from the national highway. According to the latest update, the old national highway is open in both directions, while the new national highway is closed to Corinth, at the height of Nea Peramou.

The emitting front in question split into two parts: one moving towards Ano Vlihada, the other moving towards Megara. The vast area has three nodes: Ano Vilichada, Loutropirkos and Plato settlement.

Earlier, residents received a message from 112 Bathroom, Othona settlement And Regulation They were called to evacuate to Elefsina, while 112’s message also reached the residents of Glikia Soi. After 20:00, via 112, residents of Nea Peramos were called to be ready.

The mayor of Loutraki described the situation as difficult. George Geonis, speaking to ERT, said that the wind speed has reduced and he is hopeful that the situation will improve in the early morning as they will resume aerial operations. “So far, There are 32 burned houses and five warehouses“There is no information about the area and panorama of Agios Charalambos,” he said characteristically.

Shortly before 21:30 pm, the old Athens-Corinth national highway was opened, from the Corinth tolls to the Elefsina tolls on both streams, and at 22:00 the new Athens-Corinth national highway was also opened. Down towards Athens.

At the same time, They are alert Coast Guard and individual persons In Nea Peramos To be evacuated by sea if necessary depending on prevailing conditions in the next few hours. Four Coast Guard patrol boats, one passenger boat and one barge are on alert. Two more ships of the Coast Guard have been kept on standby.

Also fighting fires in Rhodes

The fight to put out the fire that broke out in the afternoon in the Rhodes forest between the villages of Apollo and Lerma continues till today.

The extinguishing battle is carried out by strong fire brigades, volunteer groups and private individuals, while the services of the South Aegean Region and the authorities of the Municipality of Rhodes assist in this effort. Earlier there were water drops from firefighting planes.

The area where the fire continues to burn is densely forested and impassable, making extinguishing efforts more difficult, while the good news is that the strength of the wind has weakened significantly.

The fire department’s license was revoked

Meanwhile, due to the state of emergency, the holidays of all uniformed personnel of the fire service have been canceled until further notice due to the widespread spread of fire in the country. It is noted that fire service personnel across the region are on general alert to deal with the increased service demands caused by the large numbers, as stated in the fire department’s announcement of operational preparedness. Very high risk of fire and fire (hazard category 4).

Emancipation of citizens by EL.AS in 324

EL.AS is on the front line of the fire, which has begun to free a total of 324 civilians. According to EL.AS information, 143 police officers and 2 police officers with 36 vehicles are operating in Mandra, 318 citizens and 16 animals have been rescued. 40 police officers with 20 vehicles are operating in Loutraki with 6 arrests.

Fire danger will be very high on Wednesday

Crews from fire services across the region are on general alert to cope with increased service demands due to the high number of fires and high fire risk (risk category 4). Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 19, 2023 is also predicted according to the fire risk forecast map published by the Civil Defense Secretariat.

In particular, fire risk (category 4) is expected in the following areas:

• Region of Attica (including the island of Kythera)
• Region of Central Greece (PE Boeotia, PE Evia)
• Peloponnese Region (Corinthia Region, Argolis Region, Laconia Region)
• South Aegean Region (Cyclades)
• North Aegean Region (Lesvos Region, Chios Region, Samos Region, Ikaria Region, Saro Region)
• Part of Crete

The Fire Department is implementing Phase 2 of PS’s Operational Readiness. It provides, among others, aerial surveillance patrols and patrols by fire, police and military forces.

At the same time, for the aforementioned areas, a plan of civil defense measures is implemented to deal with the risks of forest fires, according to which, among others, the action to prevent vehicular traffic and the accommodation of tourists in national forests, forests and “vulnerable” areas.

The General Secretariat of Civil Defense informed all relevant competent government agencies, regions and municipalities of areas located in the most high-risk zone, so that they are more prepared to take measures of their competence.

At the same time, the Civil Defense and Fire Departments appeal to citizens to:

1. Be especially careful and avoid outdoor activities that could cause a fire due to negligence

I am Burning of dry grasses and branches or clearing of residues,

ii Use of sparking machines such as circular saws, welding equipment, etc

iii Use of outdoor grills,

iv. smoking bees,

v. Throwing lit cigarettes etc.

2. Follow self-defense instructions and information on forest fire prevention on the website and on the official accounts of the fire department, on Facebook and Twitter, and on the website of the Civil Defense Secretariat at www. Civil Defense.gr.

3. In case of fire, call 199 to the fire department immediately.

A reminder that burning fields is prohibited during fire prevention periods. Finally, all citizens should be especially careful and faithfully follow the instructions of the competent authorities for their own safety in the event of a fire.