A large forest fire continues to spread in Western Attica, Greece, where authorities are carrying out an extensive operation to contain the flames. The main front of the fire is located in the areas of Agios Nektarios and Kandili, where difficult atmospheric conditions and strong winds are making it extremely difficult for firefighting forces to intervene.
Hundreds of firefighters, specialized civil defense teams and numerous land vehicles have been engaged on the ground, while seven aircraft are operating from the air, which perform continuous water spraying to limit the spread of flames. The operation takes place in dangerous conditions due to strong winds, which constantly change the direction of the fire.
The Greek authorities have ordered the preventive evacuation of some settlements, while the residents have been notified through the emergency system 112 to leave for safe areas. The priority remains the protection of citizens’ lives and homes threatened by flames.
The flames have crossed large areas of forests and bushes, while in some areas property damage is reported. A full damage assessment will only be done once the fire is under control.
Meanwhile, the situation has become even more tragic after an air accident during the firefighting operation. Two firefighting helicopters collided mid-air during the intervention, causing the death of two crew members, while two others were rescued. The incident highlighted the extreme danger emergency crews face when fighting the flames.
Meteorological services warn that strong winds are expected to continue, increasing the risk of reactivation of existing fires and the creation of new fire fronts. For this reason, the authorities have called on residents to follow the instructions of the civil defense and avoid any unnecessary movement in the affected areas.
