The Greek army is increasing its resources to help the fire service and local authorities fight the dozens of wildfires raging in the country. In addition to 500 military personnel, 39 aircraft, various helicopters, drones and bulldozers are also deployed to support the fire brigade both from the air and on the ground.
The largest fires are currently in the north of the island of Evia and in the south and west of the Peloponnese peninsula.
A state of emergency has been declared in the northern part of Evia. “Residents from several villages had to leave their house there last night and today,” says correspondent Conny Keessen. More than 100 houses were probably destroyed by the fire. About 80 firefighters from France have now arrived on the island to help with the extinguishing work.
Ruins of Olympia
“In Peloponnese, the great forest fire has not reached the historic ruins of ancient Olympia, but the danger has not yet passed,” said Keessen. According to the Greek authorities, fire-proof zones have been created around the archaeological site and the village. Since this year there is also an own extinguishing system in which the site is kept moist with water sprinklers. In the vicinity of Olympia many villages have been evacuated.
In the area around Varibobi, on the north side of the capital Athens, a fire that was under control has flared up again. Residents of the area have been warned by telephone to leave the area.
The images below show how the Greeks had to flee from the fires earlier this week:
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