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The efforts of fire-fighting forces in the region on the third arm of Halkidiki peninsula, affected by the disastrous fire, are concentrated in the interior of Mount Athos.

Air and ground fire-fighting equipment managed to subdue the flames, which destroyed the pine forest around Ouranoupoli. Now the battle is fought on the territory of the monastic state of Mount Athos, at a safe distance from the Hilandar Monastery, where there is a 7-8 mile active outbreak.

The work of the fire-fighting forces is hampered by the wind, which is blowing in the region, and the constant and unpredictable change in its direction. Using a special technique, great efforts are being made for the establishment of anti-fire zones. So far no monasteries in Mount Athos are threatened.

Maximum mobilization

The respective government departments are mobilized to a maximum in order to neutralize the fire of Mount Athos, after the issuance of an order from Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.

In particular, the Ministry of Public Order and Citizen Protection, as well as the fire-fighting service, have mobilized all the available fire-fighting equipment, while in the same time aid has been received from Serbia, since in Mount Athos there is a Serbian monastery, too - the Hilendar Monastery.

Macedonia-Thrace Minister Theodoros Karaoglu has arrived at the site, and the army is providing everything necessary.

In particular, with a decision by the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Panos Panagiotopoulos, all military bases in Central Macedonia, as well as the headquarters of the forces in the region, are ready for action to tackle the fire at Mount Athos.

As the Ministry of Defence announced, five aircraft type CL-415, an aircraft type CL-215, and 2 helicopters Chinook are taking part in the efforts to extinguish the fire in Mount Athos.

Moreover, the General Staff of the Land-forces has sent 241 men, 21 machines of different types, 5 bulldozers, 3 trailers, 4 water-carries, as well as the necessary means for management and control of forces.

3rd Army Corps is ready for action, and its commander, George Basiakoulis is already in the area, together with infantry.

In Megaloupoli, Arcadia area, now 2 aircraft type CL-415 and 4 PZL have also been involved in the operation.

In addition, 20 people have also been sent from the 2nd Parachute Squadron, 20 people from the General Staff of Aviation, 20 people from the General Staff of the Navy, and 2 bulldozers from the special 747th Engineer Battalion.

Finally, in Solomos, Corinth area, today 2 aircraft type CL-215 were included in the operations. 30 people have been sent by the 575th Marines Battalion, 30 people from the General Staff of the Navy and 2 bulldozers from the Technical school.

The fires in Neohori, Domokos and Mantudi Municipality, Evia region, are partially localized

The fires, which broke out yesterday in woodlands in Neohori, Municipality of Domokos and Mantudi, Evia region, are partially localized. Fire-fighting forces remain in the area to completely extinguish the fires.

The fire in Seres is completely under control

The fire, which broke out early in the morning on the pasture in the village of Poroia, on the ridge of the Bulgarian-Greek border, is fully controlled.

The strong and continuous rain, which poured into the difficult mountain, also helped extinguish the fire.

A team of fire-fighting service remains in the place to prevent any resumption of hidden outbreaks of fire.