The fire that broke out earlier in the Stimaga area of Corinthia is in full progress – The fire brigade battled the flames overnight
The fire brigade will fight the flames all night in Stimaga Corinthia with the fire burning virgin forest.
The fire does not have an active front, but hotspots that will be worked on throughout the night by the firefighters, the forester and the people of the local government, while the aerials will try again at the first light of day, emphasized the Minister of Civil Protection Vassilis Kikilias.
14 planes, 8 helicopters, 50 fire engines, 152 #firefighters and forest commanders, water tankers, project machinery from the Peloponnese region and the municipalities as well as 2 army crawlers attempted from noon on the very difficult fire in #Stimaga… pic.twitter.com/rlGyJ4USFv
— Vassilis Kikilias (@Vkikilias) July 11, 2024
In his related post on X, he summarized how 14 airplanes, 8 helicopters, 50 fire trucks, 152 firefighters and forest commanders, water tankers, construction machinery from the Peloponnese region and the municipalities as well as 2 army crawlers attempted the very difficult fire from noon.
“They all gave and are giving a great fight and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”
The fire started and is developing in ravines with steep slopes and very dense vegetation, without, so far, threatening the nearby settlements of Stimaga, Dafni and Koutsi, as explained earlier by the press representative of the Fire Department Vassilis Vathrakogiannis.
Two canard aircraft, one behind the other, flew low over the fire front earlier in order to reduce the heat load.
The flames are burning forest land, estates and vineyards with the residents watching the efforts of the firefighters with anxiety.
As the fire now has scattered foci, Anastasios Giolis – Deputy Regional Governor of Corinth, summarizes that “the fire is burning the property of our fellow citizens, grapes that were supposed to go on the market”.
The fire started from an unknown cause shortly after 14:00 in the afternoon and quickly took on large dimensions due to the strong winds, the very dense vegetation and the topography of the area with the front moving in the wider area of Nemea.
The Minister of Civil Protection Vassilis Kikilias rushed to Nemea, where he is holding a meeting to coordinate the actions.
Helicopters made continuous water drops but due to the terrain morphology and the aforementioned conditions, the operators’ efforts were made under adverse conditions.
A cloud of smoke has enveloped the area while tongues of fire erupt through the forest.
112
A message via 112 was sent about the fire to the residents of the wider area of Stimaga, Corinthia, calling on them to remain alert and follow the instructions of the authorities.
Specifically, the message reads: “Forest Fire in the wider area of Stimaga, Corinthia.” Stay ready. Follow the instructions of the Authorities.’
In a ravine is the main front of the fire in the Stimaga area
“In a ravine towards the area of Nemea is the main front of the fire that took place in the area of Stimaga, of the Municipality of Velos – Vochas, Corinthia,” said the deputy governor of Corinth, Anastasios Giolis, speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.
As he added, “at this time, human lives and homes are not in danger, but the winds blowing in the area are strong and constantly changing direction.”
Also, Anastasios Giolis stated that “there is a great mobilization of the firefighting forces with many aerial means and ground forces”, adding that “the Region of Peloponnese supports the work of the firefighting forces with water tankers and construction machinery”.
No community is at risk
“Until now, no community is in danger from the fire that broke out in the Stimaga area,” said Thanasis Manavis, the mayor of Velos-Vochas, Corinthia, speaking to the Athenian-Macedonian News Agency.
But, as he added, “there are some flare-ups, as well as a small fire front, for which there is a concern, that it may move towards the Halki community, which is opposite Stimaga”.
However, as the mayor pointed out, “the firefighters are present and working” adding that “the Fire Department has been activated too much”.
Regarding the winds, Thanasis Manavis said that “their intensity has decreased a lot”, while speaking about the damage caused by the fire so far, he said that “many arable lands have been burnt”.
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Source: Skai
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