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The large fire on Mount Athos, which broke out on Tuesday, is still out of control and the flames are moving towards the village of Ouranoupolis on the third arm of Halkidiki peninsula. The evacuation of its inhabitants as well as of adjacent hotels began this morning. Authorities’ appeal to citizens is that they should not travel to the region of Ouranoupolis in order to not hinder the movement of fire vehicles. Five aeroplanes and two helicopters are involved in extinguishing the fire.
    "Ouranoupolis is not in danger. The evacuation order was a precautionary measure," said Konstantinos Katsavavakis, the deputy mayor of the village. The fire started in the buildings of the Hilandar Monastery but due to high temperatures and wind quickly spread. Land forces are also involved in extinguishing the fire - 40 foot soldiers, 35 fire-fighters, 15 fire engines and 3 cars provided by the municipality. However, land forces are helpless due to the lack of roads and the battle with the flames is taking place from the air.
    The fire in Arcadia in the Peloponnese is still burning. The fire-fighters are trying to cope with several outbreaks. Six people were injured during the disaster - a 60-year-old man with serious burns has been taken to a hospital in Athens and a woman with burns has been hospitalised in Tripoli.
    Three fire-fighters and the chief of the fire protection service of the Peloponnese Anasthasios Roubos have been hospitalised for respiratory problems. 27 thousand acres of forests and agricultural areas burned and animals were injured. A taxi driver from Athens aged 45 who has a villa in the neighbourhood has been arrested on charges of arson. He will appear before the district prosecutor today.  The affected areas in Arcadia have been in a state of emergency since this morning.