Greek firefighters from all around the country are trying to battle a wildfire that broke out on Sunday near the village of Keri on Zakynthos and is still raging out of control. The village of Keri has been evacuated and a strong police force is guarding the entrance to the village. Firefighting forces from all over Greece are joining the locals while the general secretary of Civil Protection Nikos Hardalias is on his way to the island.
Nine fire engines from the Peloponnese and a group of firefighters on foot are on a ferry to the island while 30 fire engines with 80-member crew and 35 firemen on foot are going to the island with a military transport aircraft from Thessaloniki.
Currently, 15 fire engines with 37-member crew assisted by five firefighting aircraft and two water-dropping helicopters and two PZL are battling the blaze.
Earlier, the villages Keri and Agalas were evacuated for precautionary reasons. The blaze is burning a pine tree forest and according to the latest information from the fire brigade, the strong winds that are blowing in the area are making the firefighters work extremely difficult.
The local Mayor of the island has shut down schools on the villages of Keri and Agalas for Monday, September 16, announcing that classes will resume when the fires are completely under control.
*Source: Ermisnews.gr