Α forest fire on the island of Rhodes has been raging since Tuesday afternoon burning down a dense forest of pine trees and cypresses and wildlife. Despite firefighting efforts, the blaze went out of control.
UPDATE12:30 Wednesday noon authorities ordered the evacuation of four villages and one hotel.
Evacuated even if for preventive reasons are: Appolon, Eloysa, Salakou, Dimylia,, Hotel Elafos on Profitis Ilias Mountain.
Firefighters have been fighting all night against the flames and aerial means joined the battle with the first daylight.
The fire broke out between the villages of Apollon and Laerma.
The former chairman of the Appolon community was taken to hospital and treated for burn injuries. Together with firefighters and volunteers he was trying to evacuate a firefighter.
However, despite the fire fighting efforts, the blaze has been revived and divided to several fronts, is reportedly out of control and is moving towards the village of Laerma.
The reporter of state broadcaster ERT said short after 10 o’ clock in the morning that there are delays in the firefighting battle as 3 of the aerial means have withdrawn for refueling.
Over 120 firefighters, volunteers and citizens, 3 water-dropping airplanes and 3 helicopters are working on the front of the fire, trying to stop the main front of the fire located in the dense forest.
West wind is blowing with intensity of 3-4 Beaufort.
It is possible that two aircraft from Crete will be deployed to assist the firefighting forces on the island of Rhodes.
*thumbnail picture by Christos Efstathioy via local media rodiaki.gr
