The Greek Civil Protection Unit has evacuated three villages in Western Thrace as wildfires rage in the area. The villages of Hasanlar (Avra), Hotallar (Atarni) and Sarlar (Plaka) were evacuated as a precaution due to the approaching fire, Turanews.kz reports.
The authorities have warned that the next 48 hours are critical for the fire in Western Thrace. If the fire cannot be extinguished, it could reach a dense forest area of oak trees. Authorities have also warned that the fire could get completely out of control with Lodos, a strong wind that is expected to blow in two days.
Greece is experiencing the biggest forest fire in the last 20 years. Dozens of settlements have been evacuated in the fires that have been burning for 8 days.
Fires are also continuing in other areas of Greece. The fire that broke out on Andros Island today could not be brought under control yet. Fires also continued throughout the day in Eğriboz Island, Messinia, Pirgos and Fthiotida.
Although there was no large rainfall in the Attiki Region, small-scale fires broke out in dozens of different areas due to lightning strikes.
According to the report of the Greek Meteorological Office, more than 600 thousand acres of land have been destroyed in 12 big fires in the last 7 years in the Attiki Region, which includes the capital Athens. 33 percent of the forest area in the region has been burned in the last 7 years.
The Greek government has deployed firefighters and other emergency personnel to the affected areas. The government has also called for international assistance.
