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A fight against the fires throughout the country

27 August 2011 / 19:08:35  GRReporter
3734 reads

The big fire which has been destroying for four days the unguarded woodland and farmland in the southern province of Evros is becoming with catastrophic proportions.

According to previous estimates of the Civil Protection we are talking about nearly 70,000 acres of oak and pine forest as well as plantations, turned into ashes by the firestorm, which continues its destructive work for 70 hours already. Fire fronts stretch between the areas Kila, Dipotamos (the water reservoir of the city of Alexandroupoli) and south of Lefkimi - Soufli and so far populated areas are not in danger.

Fire-fighting air Force yesterday were reinforced with seven aircraft "Canadair", out of which four have arrived from France and Spain, within the call for assistance with equipment from abroad. Also at the fire front there are four helicopters operating. The total number of air vehicles fighting the firestorm includes ten aircraft "Canadair" and four helicopters.

Meanwhile, over 200 firefighters with 68 fire trucks from all over northern Greece continued their operations of fire suppression, using equipment of the army, the municipalities and Forestry.

A serious problem for firefighters is the north eastern strong wind as well as the continuous emergence of new outbreaks in different fronts of the fire.

Meanwhile a 50-years old farmer was convicted on the charges of arson by negligence by the court in Alexandroupolis to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of 20,000 euros. He said in his defense that the fire in Lefkimi, where the large fire stared from on Wednesday, was caused by sparks coming out the tailpipe of his tractor. The farmer from Rusa, Evros district, appealed and was released on bail in the amount of 3,000 euro.

From the morning the whole area of ​​Evros has a high risk index 4, and therefore additional measures are taken against any new fires.

Fire in Arcadia is under control

Fire in Arcadia, which burned since yesterday noon 10,000 acres of crops, pastures and woodland is under control.

Thanks to the superhuman efforts of the firefighters and the significant support of air means, the fire is limited to the Kaltezes forests, where ground forces continue their work, and one helicopter and two aircraft type "Pezetel" continue to pour water.

''The situation with the fire has improved significantly and is now under control,'' said before the news agency ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ the deputy governor of Peloponnesus Dina Nikolakou and added: ''We have not settled down, the fire fighting forces continue the struggle to take control over the fire and we are grateful for superhuman efforts they make.''

Since the danger of fire is considerably reduced, the mayor of Tripoli Yannis Smirniotis asked the Secretary General of the decentralized administration in the Peloponnese to repeal the state of emergency in the villages of the municipality Valtetsi, which was announced by a decision of the Secretary General of Civil Protection yesterday afternoon.

By the order of the Mayor of Tripoli civil protection services of the municipality, together with the Deputy Mayors George Karlis and Zafiri Bisouli is in the villages affected by the fire, to support the victims and groups from the water supply service of Tripoli are restoring the failures in the network of water supply . Meanwhile a group from the City Hall in Tripoli, led by the physician and the Municipal Councillor George Samardzis transported medicines and medical supplies.

Groups from the electric company are replacing the burned electricity poles to finish before the night starts and for the villages in the affected areas not to remain without electricity.

80 acres of woodland were destroyed by the fire in the Seih-Sou

80 acres of woodland were destroyed by fire storm erupted yesterday afternoon in Seih-Sou, Thessaloniki, for reasons presently unknown. Although in few hours the fire was fully contained, the fire fighting service is ready for action and 4 fire trucks will stay in the region.

It should be noted that the reaction of the authorities was swift, and in the efforts to contain the fire in addition to the firefighters, took part also employees of the municipality of Thessaloniki and the surrounding municipalities and voluntary groups.

Fire continues to rage in the region of Sfinari, Kissamos

Fire continues to rage in the region Sfinari, Kissamos, which erupted at 11 am today.

In the region there are 10 cars of the fire fighting department with 22 firefighters and their efforts to extinguish the fire are assisted by a helicopter.

The strong wind hinders the work of firefighters, but populated areas are not in danger.

The firestorm destroys mostly grassland, however there are many olive groves in the area.

Meanwhile, yesterday's fire in Falasarna destroyed 40 acres forest and agricultural land.

Tags: flames firestorm fire fighting department arson
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