Another shocking event hits Greece again. The fire has become a tradition in Greece and this time it knocks on the door in the area of Vilia. Unfortunately, the fires in Greece this year have affected a lot of people. The fire brigade is fighting hell itself and trying to find a light in this fiery flame and stop it all.
The fire in the Villas is in progress for the fourth consecutive day and they are trying to control the situation before proceeding to the Settlements of Oinoi and Panorama.
Unfortunately, the north winds are quite strong and help the fire to go 5 to 6 kilometers, as a result of which it is directed to the Shooting Range at Kandili Megaron, Karaouli and Agia Paraskevi.
The fire brigade seems patient and calm in all this and they try in every way to stop the fire before doing any damage.
In a video posted on Facebook, a volunteer forest firefighter is heard saying: "Slowly, do not stress».
There were times when they talked on the radio and were told where the vehicle should go and not get stuck. They specifically told him: "go left».
It is worth mentioning that the fire burned many houses and many warehouses last night. In the last few hours, 13 helicopters and five aircraft have been operating against the fire, including the Russian Beriev-200.
We searched and found a statement from the Minister of Civil Protection saying: "The mobilization of the fire brigade was immediate." Through what he said, he responds to reports that were critical of the slow intervention of the fire brigade.
Both the ministry and the Civil Protection received criticism in connection with the slow mobilization and that they did not come immediately to help. Mr. Chrysochoidis tells us that: "In the last few days we have been following various publications. We must therefore clarify that, according to the records, the mobilization of all forces that had to intervene to deal with the two fires was immediate. Regarding the participation of the air means in yesterday's 2 fires, we know that 19 air means attempted in Lavrio and 21 air means in Vilia.
Regarding the participation of the Beriev-200 in yesterday's fires, the specific aircraft, due to the completion of 50 hours of flight, was in scheduled maintenance from August 13 at 06:08 and in fact, this maintenance became more thorough, due to the accident that preceded the Turkey in the same type of aircraft ".
Now regarding the fires all over Greece, especially for the two big ones in Attica, the minister states that"Today 50 new fires broke out and together with those that broke out in the previous days, the fire brigade throughout the territory is managing a total of 98 fires.
Yesterday we were called to manage 2 big fires in Lavreotiki and Vilia.
- In Lavreotiki, the fire is now limited with small active burns within its perimeter, so the fire brigade remains strong while until the last light periodically operated 8 helicopters and 4 aircraft along with 2 Ilyushin Il-76 mainly for fire safety.
- In Vilia the situation has improved. Today throughout the day we experienced several flares. In the early morning hours, the preventive and organized removal of food from the nursing home "PANAGIA FANEROMENI" took place. At 06:20 in the morning, the residents of the settlements of Thea, Panorama, Paleochori, Paleokoundoura and Agios Sotiras were informed with a message via 112, in order to evacuate in a safe direction. The forces remain strong and today 370 firefighters are operating with 9 groups of pedestrians, 130 vehicles and the OLYMPUS Mobile Operations Center. With us at the front of the fire are forces of the European Civil Protection Mechanism, namely 143 firefighters with 46 vehicles from Poland. After the activation of the Defkalion Plan, the Greek Army provides assistance with 40 officers as a hiking unit but also with earthmoving equipment.
Until the last light, 20 helicopters and 12 aircraft were operating periodically, including the Beriev-200 and the 2 Ilyushin Il-76.
Together we are fighting the battle together with volunteer firefighters, with the Region and the local government that have water tanks and construction machinery.
The firefighting forces in both fires are coordinated by the Chief of the Fire Brigade, Lieutenant General Stefanos Kolokouris.
We are all on alert.
We remind you that the conditions that favor the expansion of the fires will prevail in the coming days. It needs a lot of attention from all of us».
