An uncontrollable fire is continuing to rage in Attica. The fire initially broke out in Varnavas on Sunday afternoon and has now reached Penteli, despite the overnight battle with the flames.
Unfortunately, according to the forecast data from the National Observatory of Athens/Meteo.gr, wind intensity will not be an ally of the firefighting forces, with winds expected to be strong, with gusts estimated at 70-80 km/h, until 9 am.
At the General Secretariat for Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, a special platform has been set up for the temporary accommodation of those affected by the fire in Attica on August 11 2024, created by the Hellenic Hoteliers Association.
Today (12/08) is a high-risk day, according to the fire hazard forecast map published by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection. Areas on high alert for potential fires include: Attica, Kythira, central and southern Euboea (Evia), Argolis, Boeotia, Corinthia, and Laconia.
Volunteer firefighter says “Grammatiko is being evacuated – We need water tankers”
Volunteer firefighter Giannis Katsikis provided an account of what is happening in Varnavas. “We are at the cemetery of Varnavas, we tried to put out 2-3 houses but we have small vehicles, it’s not working, we almost got burned. There are no roads, no escape routes, no water in the village. We are covering the area to prevent the fire from reaching the beach. It is a dense forest, a new forest, it has been regenerated in the last 20 years,” he said.
“The fire is between Grammatiko and Varnavas, since 8 am, Grammatiko is being evacuated, the burnt area is in front, and the fire is moving towards the back. Grammatiko is being evacuated, we need water tankers, there is no water in the village since yesterday afternoon,” Katsikis added.
Behind the 414 Military Hospital, the fire in Penteli
“We have a forest fire behind the 414 Military Hospital. We are making superhuman efforts with the ground crews and a helicopter, trying to put it out. There are firefighting and military forces here, I believe we will succeed,” Dionysos mayor, Katerina Maihosoglou, told SKAI.
As she said, the Children’s Hospital, the Observatory, and other institutions in Penteli have been evacuated, and reception centres have been opened at the Penteli municipal market, in the municipality of Penteli, in Melissia at the swimming pool, while according to Maihosoglou, a doctor from Sismanogleio is moving to Penteli due to the intense smoke in the area.
(philenews with information from in.gr)
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