25,000 acres burned down as wildfire rages on Kythira for the fourth day

More than 25,000 acres of forest, low vegetation and agricultural land have been burned down as the wildfire rages on the island of Kythira for the fourth consecutive day. Olive groves, bee stocks, and livestock turned into ashes.

According to latest reports on Monday morning, the fire front is on the South-West part of Kythira.

Firefighters from all over the country worked all night to limit the fire. A 60- to 80-man strong force is expected to land on the island in the next hours and days in an effort to give exhausted firefighters the chance for a thorough break.

Monastery evacuated but escapes fire

the biggest monastery on the island, the monastery of Panagia Myrtidiotissa was evacuated from nuns and visitors, a total 27 people, Sunday afternoon, when the winds were pushing the fire dangerously close.

“But then the fire changed direction, the winds changed the direction, it did not reach the monastery,” mayor Eftratios Harhalakis told Skai TV. “It was a miracle, a real miracle,” the mayor added.

Footage shot Aug 5 and edited by videographer Giorgos Kalligeros

Kythira fire as seen from space on Saturday, Aug 5th

via @fly_dervish

Wind is the worst enemy of firefighters

The General Secretary of Civil Portection Giannis Kapakis told AthensNewsAgency this morning that there was “no active fire front” and described the situation as “much better.”

“The next two hours are crucial. If the wind does not change direction we will be able to bring the fire in Kythera under control. It is a very difficult fire. The ground is inaccessible, with hedges and shrubs, and it’s difficult for the units on foot to access the area,” he said.

More than 190 firefighters, two water dropping Canadair and one Shinook helicopter are struggling to finally extinguish this wildfire.

Locals complain about mistakes in the coordination of combating the fire.

Deputy mayor Giorgos Komninos told daily Ta Nea, “the big damage was caused by the wildfire revivals,” and the gaps during the operation of aerial means. “There were large gaps in the water dropping as aircraft would withdraw due to  damage or for refueling. These gaps helped the fire to extend.”

The Greek Fire Brigades said the aerial means never abandoned the operation but they had to withdraw from time to time for refueling and identification of possible damage.

Authorities say there is suspicion of ‘arson’ but no evidence so far. “We will wait for the investigation of the Fire Brigades,” they say.

The area that was burned in the south-west of Kythira

No human was injured, no house was damaged.

However, barns were burned down and many animals. The evaluation of the damages is continuing.

Everybody hopes that the strong wind weakens.

Wildfire on Thassos

A fire broke out in the forest of Platani area on the island of Thassos in the Northern Aegean Sea. The fire broke out at 5:45 a.m. More than 33 firefighters struggle to take the fire under control.