Fire fighting forces battling a blaze that broke out on Monday in the Kouvaras area in Attica were further reinforced on Monday afternoon, while a warning was sent via the emergency number 112 to evacuate several settlements in southeast Attica
After a message to evacuate the settlement of Peta, new messages were sent to evacuate the districts of Melissourgos and Trabouria and almost immediately followed by more messages to also evacuate the coastal resorts of Lagonissi, Saronida and Anavyssos. The fire started in dry grass and low vegetation in the Neos Kouvaras area.
People in Melissourgos and Trabouria were advised to head to Anavyssos via Anavyssos Avenue, while those in Lagonisi, Saronida and Anavyssos were also advised to evacuate the settlements as a precaution, said fire brigade spokesperson Yiannis Artopios in an emergency briefing.
The wildfire was burning dry grass and low vegetation, the fire brigade said.
A force of 55 firefighters and 20 fire engines, two units on foot and 31 Romanian fire fighters with five water tankers have been deployed to put out the fire, assisted by six fire-fighting aircraft and four helicopters - including one acting as coordinator - from the air.
According to the latest update from the police, Lavrio Avenue has been closed to vehicles in both directions between Sounion Avenue and the Kouvara rural road.
Peta evacuation
A message from the 112 emergency number has ordered people to evacuate the Peta settlement in Kouvaras, Attica due to a forest fire burning in the area.
The message read: "If you are in the region of Peta, Kouvaras evacuate now toward Keratea. Forest fire in your area. Follow the instructions of the authorities. Instructions: https://civilprotection.gov.gr/odigies-prostasias/dasikes-pyrkagies».
Earlier, a 112 message alerted those in the Kouvaras area to a wildfire burning nearby.