Drafi, Anthousa, Dioni and Dasamari were evacuated earlier – The fire is now developing in the wider area of the Penteli massif.
The Children’s hospital was evacuated as a precaution, he said speaking to SKAIthe mayor of Penteli, Dimitra Kehagia, where a large fire is underway amid strong winds.
She noted that neither the children nor the staff are in danger. However, the fire was at some distance from the hospital and that is why they proceeded to evacuate it.
Specifically, 36 children and 19 staff members were removed from the hospital and transferred to the Children’s Agia Sofia.
The operation of transporting the children was coordinated by the president of EKAV Nikos Papaevstathiou who went to the hospital with KEPY EKAV officials.
At the same time, the G. Gennimatas and Thriasio hospitals are ready to receive any injured or citizens with respiratory problems.
The big problem facing the fire brigade at this time is that the wind on the mountain is constantly swirling and turning directions on the fire constantly.
According to information from the Fire Department, the Penteli fire on the front towards Dionysos has reduced its speed, while on the front to the west and south towards the Kallithea area, there is intensity. So far there are no calls for stranded people.
A woman with a child was trapped in a house and was rescued by volunteer firefighters
The dramatic rescue of a woman who was trapped at home with her small child was described by speaking to SKAI the volunteer Firefighter Petros Papadopoulos.
The woman, according to Mr. Papadopoulos who is still in the burning Drafi, was fortunately rescued.
The woman was panicked, the fire passed by, she described stating that her house did not burn down.
At the same time, he said that he has not noticed burnt houses so far.
Volunteers rushed to locate her after being told by her husband that he could not reach her by phone.
Mr. Papadopoulos summarized that the situation in Draft is very difficult.
Fire Service Spokesperson: 350 firefighters and 24 aerial vehicles are operating in Penteli – There are no reports of trapped people
“The fire is now developing in the wider area of the Penteli massif” he said a while ago the representative of the Fire Department, Yiannis Artophios, in the emergency briefing on the fire.
“So far there are no reports of people trapped”he added.
As he stated, they are taking part in the extinguishing project 350 firefighters with 13 foot divisions and 60 vehicles. At the same time, 28 Romanian firefighters participate in the operations, while 15 aircraft and 9 helicopters operate periodically, one of which is for aerial coordination.
As he noted, despite the adverse conditions with strong winds prevailing in the region, the aerial means continue to operate with flight safety in mind. In addition, the volunteers of the Fire Brigade and the volunteer groups of the Civil Protection have a large number of water vehicles. Likewise the Region of Attica.
A large force of firefighting forces has been mobilized from the Regions of Central and Western Macedonia, Thessaly, Epirus and Central Greece, in order to go to the Penteli fire.
The staff of the Attica Fire Services has been put on general alert.
A large force of the Greek Police was also mobilized for the organized preventive removal of citizens from settlements.
Here is the full statement from the Fire Department spokesman:
“Good evening from the Fire Department Operations Center.
Today is a difficult day. We are in the heart of the fire season and the prevailing conditions make it easier for fires to start and spread.
Several of the fires that broke out today, mainly in Arta, Mani, Elateia Fthiotida, Laconia and Ilia, took on large proportions.
The most important fire that concerns most forces occurred this afternoon at 17:19 in Penteli. At this moment the fire is developing in the wider area of the mountain mass of Penteli.
They operate 350 firefighters with 13 groups of infantry departments including 28 Romanian firefighters, 60 vehicles, while periodically operating 15 aircraft and 9 helicopters, one of which is for aerial coordination.
Despite the unfavorable conditions with strong winds prevailing in the region, the air means continue to operate with flight safety in mind.
In addition, the volunteers of the Fire Brigade and the volunteer groups of the Civil Protection have a large number of water vehicles. Likewise the Region of Attica.
A large force of firefighting forces has been mobilized from the Regions of Central and Western Macedonia, Thessaly, Epirus and Central Greece, in order to go to the Penteli fire.
The staff of the Attica Fire Services has been put on general alert.
A large force of the Greek Police was also mobilized for the organized preventive removal of citizens from settlements.
4 messages have already been issued by 112, namely:
At 18:20 to inform the residents in the areas of Penteli Nea Penteli, Drafi, Dau Pentelis Dioni and Kallitechnoupoli about the fact that there is an ongoing fire in the area.
And for precautionary reasons at 18:45 to evacuate the settlement of Drafi.
At 19:50 for the evacuation of Anthousa and at 20.10 for the evacuation of the Dioni and Dasamari areas.
So far, there are no reports of people being trapped
Important Civil Protection forces have been deployed mainly for the security of the wider area of the settlements for which the messages have been issued by 112.
The meetings of the political leadership of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection at the crisis management center are ongoing, with the participation of the Minister of State, Mr. Skertsos, the Minister of Citizen Protection, Mr. Theodorikakos as well as the Deputy Minister of the Interior, Mr. Petsas.
A newer update will follow.
Thank you”.
At this moment, the Fire Brigade forces have to face two fronts, one moving towards Drafi and another moving south and west towards the area of Kallithea and Kalivia Pentelis.
On the front moving towards Drafi the fire has come close to the houses, with ground forces and air assets lined up on Achaion and Dorion streets.
Forces of GADA and the Armed Forces support the work of the firefighters
At the same time, forces of the General Police Directorate of Attica are supporting the work of the firefighters.
In particular, according to ELAS, 150 police officers and 58 vehicles have been made available by various services of GADA.
The Armed Forces are participating in the firefighting operation with 2 DEVKALIA teams from the 2nd MAL (Paratrooper Squadron) and the 575 TPN (Marine Battalion) and 2 wheel loaders. 150 people are on standby for 2 hours of intervention, as well as a number of buses for assistance, if required, for the evacuation of residents.
Four messages from 112 so far
112 message for removal of citizens from Dioni and Dasamari
A message via 112 was sent to those in the Dioni and Dasamari area to evacuate now to Pallini due to the ongoing fire. Specifically, the message states: “If you are in the Dioni and Dasamari areas, evacuate now to Pallini. Forest fire in your area. Follow the instructions of the authorities. Self-protection instructions: https://www.civilprotection.gr/el/dasikes-pyrkagies.
⚠️ Activation 1️⃣1️⃣2️⃣
🆘 If you are in the areas #Dioni & #Dasamari evacuate now to #Pallini
‼️ Forest fire in your area
Self-protection instructions ℹ️ https://t.co/162IAidIpY@pyrosvestiki
— 112 Greece (@112Greece) July 19, 2022
112 message to evacuate citizens from Anthousa
A message via 112 was sent earlier to those in Anthousa to evacuate to Geraka due to a forest fire in the area. Specifically, the message states: “If you are heading towards Anthousa, evacuate now towards Gerakas. Forest fire in your area. Self-protection instructions: https://www.civilprotection.gr/el/dasikes-pyrkagies
⚠️ Activation 1️⃣1️⃣2️⃣
🆘 If you are in #Blooming evacuate now to #Geraka
‼️ Forest fire in your area
Self-protection instructions ℹ️ https://t.co/162IAidIpY@pyrosvestiki
— 112 Greece (@112Greece) July 19, 2022
112 message to evacuate citizens from Drafi
Earlier, the immediate evacuation of the Drafi area was requested by Civil Protection, which invited the residents to move to Pallini, following the instructions of the authorities and authorities.
⚠️ Activation 1️⃣1️⃣2️⃣
🆘 If you are on #Draft evacuate now to #Pallini
‼️ Forest fire in your area
Self-protection instructions ℹ️ https://t.co/162IAidIpY@pyrosvestiki
— 112 Greece (@112Greece) July 19, 2022
A message from 112 was initially received by the residents of the areas located near the two fronts of the fire in Penteliin order to put themselves in a state of readiness, so that if deemed necessary, they can evacuate their homes and move away.
As mentioned in the message, residents in the areas of Pantelis, Nea Pentelis, Drafi, Dau Pentelis, Dioni and Kallitechnoupoli, had to be in a state of readiness and follow the instructions of those in charge, if it is deemed necessary to be notified to leave.
The fire broke out in Vayati Pentelis and has already entered Drafi reaching the houses, he pointed out speaking in SKAI and the mayor of Rafina Pikermiou Evangelos Bournous pointing out that houses are already burning.
The National Observatory of Athens was evacuated
The fire meteorologist Mr. Theodoros Giannaros announced in a post on Facebook that the forest fire in Penteli has reached bad proportions and that the workers are leaving the facilities at the National Observatory of Athens.
The forest fire in Penteli has reached bad proportions. We are withdrawing from our EAA facilities, but will continue to monitor the fire-meteorological conditions and update as new developments arise.
Follow the instructions of the authorities. Stay informed. Stay alert, he characteristically wrote himself.
What did the representative of the Fire Department, Giannis Artophios, say earlier about the fire
He described the fire as “difficult”. Penteli the representative of the Fire Department John the Baker.
Speaking to ERT earlier, the representative of the Fire Department reported that: “The fire broke out in Dau Pentelis and is moving east towards the area of Drafio. At the moment we are on the scene with a very large air force of 11 aircraft and 5 helicopters, one of which is coordinating” and continued: “78 firefighters with 5 infantry units, 22 vehicles and the Romanian fire brigade with 28 firefighters are fighting the fire , 3 water vehicles and an identifier. It is a difficult fire and we will do everything possible to control it.”
The roads that have been closed due to the fire
Vehicular traffic has been suspended on certain roads due to the ongoing forest fire in Penteli.
Traffic is currently closed to:
- Penteli – Nea Makri Regional Road, from the height of 414 SNEN to Agios Petros
- On Kallision and Papadiamanti street towards Drafi
- On Dukissis Plakentias and Filonos street towards Drafi
- On Anapausesos and Klisthenos street towards Penteli
- On Kalission and Grammos Streets towards Drafi
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