Fire Brigade spokesman on the condition at the fire fronts
FILE PHOTO: epa11546538 Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire in Marathon, northeast Attica, Greece, 12 August 2024. The wildfire that broke out in Varnavas on 11 August afternoon continues to rage in Eastern Attica on 12 August, fanned and spread to a front extending more than 20 kilometers. According to the fire department, the fire-fighting effort is extremely difficult as the wind keeps changing direction, while the three main fronts of concern are in Grammatiko, Penteli and the Anatoli settlement in Nea Makri. EPA/ALEXANDROS BELTES
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The fire that broke out on Sunday afternoon in Varnavas remains in full progress, having affected many areas of northeastern Attica, while the very strong winds, the gusts of which reach 7 on the Beaufort scale, are making the work of the civil protection forces difficult, stated the press representative of the Fire Brigade Vassilis Vathrakogiannis at a press briefing on Monday.
According to Vathrakogiannis, currently the “lines of defence” have shifted mainly to the fronts that have been created between the areas from Grammatiko to Marathonas as well as after the lake of Marathonas but also on the south-eastern side of the fire from Penteli to the Military Hospital 414.
He also noted that more than 40 fires rekindled since the early hours of Monday within the perimetre of the wildfire.
A total of 685 firefighters, 27 of forest commando units, 190 fire engines, assisted by 17 water dropping helicopters and 16 firefighting aircraft and volunteers with the contribution of all the civil protection entities are battling the blaze.
In addition, he pointed out that since yesterday ambulances of National Emergency Centre are scattered around the perimetre of the fire. The General Hospital of Attica “Sismanoglio”, the General Hospital of Athens “Georgios Gennimatas” and the General Hospital for Thoracic Diseases ” Sotiria” have been put on heightened alert.
“The General Secretariat of Civil Protection has activated a special platform for the temporary accommodation of those affected by Sunday’s fire in Varnavas” said Vathrakogiannis and added “Those interested can contact directly on the phone 213 – 204 78 93, as they can also submit a relevant online application that is available on the website of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection”.
Source: ΑΝΑ – MPA
Ακολουθήστε τη HELLAS JOURNAL στη NEWS GOOGLEFire in northeast Attica is heading toward Penteli, fire department spokesperson says