There is a very high (category 4) fire risk on Thursday for the regions of Attica and the region of Central Greece (Viotia and the island of Evia), according to the Fire Risk Forecast Map issued by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection at the climate crisis and civil protection ministry.
The ministry advises people to be exceptionally careful and avoid any activity in the open that could accidentally cause a fire, such as burning vegetation, using machinery that creates sparks, lighting barbecues, or throwing away lit cigarettes.
It also reminds the public to alert the fire brigade via the emergency number 199 in the case of fire.
The fire extinguishing operation in Parnitha has been burning since Tuesday and is focused on the National Park. Shortly after 15:30, the Traffic Police proceeded to stop the traffic of vehicles on Parnithos Avenue from the height of the "Aigli" tavern.
The shelters of Parnitha have been evacuated. At the same time, smoke from the fire covers all of Attica.
Firefighters are trying to keep the fire away from the Parnitha cable car and casino. The representative of the fire department, Giannis Artopioos, noted to Mega that although the situation seems to have improved, the fire is in total progress.
At the same time, there is hope that the winds will subside in the next few hours.
ΠΑΡΝΗΘΑ ΤΏΡΑ#Παρνηθα #φωτια #Φωτιες #πυρκαγια #φωτιες2023 pic.twitter.com/JncUu99owm
— Giorgos Koulouris (@KoulouGiorgos) August 23, 2023
"It's a tough work. It is more difficult than what we attempted in the morning," he explained, as, at some point, the wind stopped, as a result of which the conditions were created for the spread of the fire towards the side of Parnitha and the reversal of the operational plan.
Nine helicopters are operating from the air on the fronts of the fire, one for coordination, and eight aircraft: 4 tractors from Greece, two from Germany and 2 Canadair. At the same time, 226 firefighters with 69 vehicles and 11 groups of pedestrians are operating.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dW_msxzO9g
Earlier, messages were sent from 112 to evacuate the settlements of Agia Paraskevi Menidiu, Kapota and Lefanto settlements.
At the same time, there was a new resurgence in the Kleiston Monastery with the fire burning outside the village above the monastery, near which the fire started yesterday. Volunteers and residents of Agia Paraskevi fight to save a house together with the firefighters.
In contrast, homes in Agia Paraskevi and Agios Ioannis Rossos in Menidi have been engulfed in flames.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3OR6sqhBak
According to the briefing given by the Minister of Political Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias, the situation in Parnitha is extremely critical.
But he said that the aerial means arrived at the front of the fire in five minutes, as the fastest possible response was made by diverting the air means from Aspropyrgos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Kx9dySJIdM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF_VSsSfi7Q
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