Greece Wildfires | Settlement evacuation in ​​Vilia area

Defence Redefined

17/08/2021

The situation that emerged from the extensive wildfires in the area of Vilia is horrendous, where five more settlements were evacuated at night (Thea, Panorama, Paleochori, Paleokoundoura and Agia Sotira). The nursing home “Panagia Faneromeni” has also been evacuated, as the flames reached the residential area burning dense virgin pine forest and the inaccessible Mount Patera.

On the contrary, the fire is under control in the municipalityof Lavreotiki, where there are only scattered resurgence incidents within the perimeter.

Air means started operating very early in the morning, especially in Vilia. In particular, 6 helicopters and 5 aircraft, including the Russian Beriev-200 operate in the area. As far as the ground forces are concerned, there are 330 firefighters, including eight (8) groups of infantry units, 115 vehicles of the Firefighting Operations Special Unit (METPE) as well as the forces provided by the European Civil Security Mechanism: 143 firefighters from Poland with 46 vehicles. The OLYMPUS Mobile Operational Center contributes to the coordination of forces.

In addition, the Defkalia Plan was activated and the Hellenic Army is now aided by 5 groups of infantry units. Assistance is also provided by many volunteer firefighters, operational vehicles of the Hellenic Army as well as water tankers of the Region and the Local Government. The fire service is coordinated by the head of the Fire Service, Lieutenant General Stefanos Kolokouris.

In terms of the fire of Keratea that broke out yesterday in low vegetation, in the Markati area and has destroyed houses and part of the forest, there are scattered fire resurgences within the perimeter where 104 firefighters are operating including three groups of ground forces and 40 vehicles including those of METPE. Two helicopters have been mobilized to extinguish the fire. Volunteer firefighters, operational vehicles and OTA tankers provide assistance.

At the same time, the firefighting operations continue the extinguishing attempts in various fires in the territory, in the areas of Parnitha, Northern Evia, Ancient Olympia Ilia and Gortynia Arcadia. 

Source: ΑΠΕ ΜΠΕ

Also read: Fire Service and Civil Defence Mission to Greece – PHOTOS