The next few hours will be critical for the outcome of the large wildfire that has ravaged parts of Kythera since Friday, the general secretary of the Civil Protection Service (CPS) Yiannis Kapakis told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency on Sunday.
“We are cautiously optimistic. 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,” he noted.
Authorities have mobilized firefighting units from all over the country and almost all the aerial means available to put out the fire which has now spread over six kilometers. On Saturday, the CPS declared a state of emergency on the island after a request by the local mayor.
The flames are burning bushes and low vegetation in the region of Pitsinades, in the central-western part of the island and two villages were evacuated for precautionary reasons.
“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 disclosed.
Speaking to ANA, Agriculture Minister Vangelis Apostolou stressed the country’s entire firefighting forces are involved in the efforts to stop the flames and echoed Kapakis’ “cautious optimism” on the outcome. He is scheduled to chair today a meeting of all competent bodies responding to the fire.
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Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Ingo Mehling License: CC-BY-SA
Source: ANA-MPA
