Ground-based firefighting crews are battling the fire that continues to rage on Skyros, which received significant reinforcements overnight with personnel and vehicles from Attica, Euboea, and Thessaly.
The reinforcements arrived on the island after 1:00 a.m. by ferry from Kymi, Euboea, to bolster efforts to contain the fire front.
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Specifically, 20 firefighters with five vehicles from the Attica Motorized Special Firefighting Operations Unit (METPE) were transported to Skyros, six firefighters with three vehicles from the Euboea Fire Services Command, and four firefighters with two vehicles from the Thessaly Region.
At the same time, five firefighters from the 4th EMODE also arrived on the island.
In total, 89 firefighters are now participating in the firefighting operation, along with six teams of foot patrols from the 1st, 4th, and 18th EMODE, volunteers, and 21 fire trucks.
Water tankers and heavy equipment from the Municipality of Skyros and the Evia Civil Protection Agency are also assisting the firefighting efforts.
The fire front is heading toward the village of Pefko
The fire broke out in a forested area in the Atsitsa region of Skyros yesterday around 4:00 p.m.; It quickly spread and, due to very strong winds—exceeding 7 Beaufort—moved south toward Agios Fokas, and then the fire front began to “spread” eastward, burning a dense pine forest where there are no houses.
According to the Fire Department, the flames were heading toward the village of Pefko, which is why the firefighting efforts are focused there, with the aim of halting the fire’s advance, while aerial resources are expected to arrive this morning to assist in the firefighting efforts.
Yesterday, two evacuation alerts were issued by 112: at 6:15 p.m. for the evacuation of those in the wider area of the village of Pefko toward Chora, Skyros; and at 4:31 p.m., for the evacuation of those in the wider area of the Agios Fokas settlement toward Acherounes.
Source: APE-MPE/ertnews.gr
