Large fire which broke out about 35 kilometers from Athens it has not yet been extinguished, and more than 400 firefighters, 110 fire trucks and a large number of volunteers are participating in its extinguishing.
Firefighters tried unsuccessfully to contain the fire during the night. The length of the fire front is 20 kilometers, and residents of local settlements have been warned to prepare for evacuation, Kattimerini writes.
Extinguishing the fire is hampered by the wind, which is expected to strengthen in the coming hours. The Greek Police (ELAS) appealed to citizens to avoid any movement towards the areas affected by the fires and, for their own safety, to follow the issued instructions for the evacuation of the area.
Also, the citizens were appealed to enable the unhindered movement of fire engines. Apart from the settlement, the Children's Hospital and the Military Hospital in Panteli were evacuated due to the fire.
Residents were evacuated from their homes on Sunday as the fire spread with the help of the wind, burning trees, houses and cars.
After the outbreak, the flames quickly advanced toward Lake Marathon, an important reservoir that supplies Athens with water, said Col. Vasilis Vatrakoiannis, a fire department spokesman.
A flame 25 meters high
The number of damaged houses is still unknown. Vatrakoianis said winds reached hurricane force in the area of the fire, and flames were more than 25 meters high.
The sky above Athens darkened with thick smoke. Urgent text messages were sent to residents of villages near the fire area warning them to evacuate.
Messages were also sent to residents of some northern suburbs of Athens to do the same.
Police reported that more than 200 people, mostly the elderly and those who did not heed warnings, were evacuated.
A second fire west of Athens has been brought under control, a spokesman said. Hot and dry weather, exacerbated by strong winds, increases the risk of wildfires.
June and July were the hottest months ever recorded in Greece, which also had its warmest winter ever.
Meteorologists and government officials have warned of increased fire danger due to weather conditions from Sunday to Thursday, and half of the country will be under a "red" alert.
Source: Reuters / AP
