More than 700 firefighters and foresters are fighting the flames for the second night in northeastern Attica, whose residents are trying for the umpteenth time in recent years. The fiery front, sometimes as a single and sometimes as scattered foci, extends from Marathon and Afidnes, near the Athens – Lamia National Road, to Ano Vrilissia and Gerakas.

The picture across the perimeter of the fire is improving, however three large fronts remain in development, which are developing in or near populated areas. This is the area of ​​Penteli (Nea Penteli and Dau Pentelis, Gerakas, where a front broke out in Rapentosa and Ano Vrilissia, where the flames reached the ridge of Penteli, even passing through the perimeter of the Observatory. In the extinguishing effort at the point , a firefighter was slightly injured, who was transferred to 251 GNA.

There is also an active front in Marathon, next to the lake and in Ano Souli, where there was a resurgence.

See image from NASA:

The hundreds of firefighters and forest commanders are fighting a titanic battle to keep the fire away from residential areas, not to descend lower, as in this case the situation will get completely out of control.

A big problem that the firefighters have to find solutions to, are the small scattered outbreaks in such a large perimeter of the front, which can develop into new large outbreaks due to the winds.

According to the forecasts of meteorologists, the winds in the Attica area will weaken during the night, but from the morning they will strengthen again up to six Beaufort. A weakening of the winds is expected from Tuesday night, while on Wednesday they will range at 2-3 Beaufort. From Thursday we expect the winds to strengthen again.

Over 30 messages to evacuate areas

Shortly after 8 pm, a 112 message was sent to the residents of the Desi area, in Gerakas, in order to move to the center of Gerakas and Marathon Avenue.

The flames passed through the Penteli Observatory

Flames entered the Observatory enclosure, burning among precious and expensive scientific instruments.

The fiery blaze has reached the ridge of Penteli, while the flames have been burning areas in Ano Vrilissia, at the same time as houses are burning in Nea Penteli, which was ordered to evacuate to Chalandri, as well as Dionysos, whose residents are asked to move to Kifissia.

A message from 112 was also sent to the residents of the Kaletzi area, in Marathon, who are asked to move to Marathon.

The front of the fire reached Afidnes, near the National Highway, with the fire brigade talking about scattered fires.

Earlier messages were sent from 112 to evacuate from New and Old Penteli, Patima Chalandriou, Patima Vrilissia and Krasa area in Vrilissia due to forest fire. If you are in these areas, move away to Chalandri and Vrilissia.

112

An evacuation message was sent earlier from Spatatziki (Pefkophyto) Marathon to Agios Stefanos via Trebizontos Avenue and from Nea Penteli to Chalandri.

fire

In the morning messages were sent to evacuate from the Erythros area in Nea Makri, the Soufani Marathon, Drafi, Dioni, Dasamari, Dau Pentelis, Kallitechnoupoli and Anatoli in Nea Makri.

They have been evacuated monastery of Agios Ephraim in the East, the Holy Monastery of Pentelithe Penteli Children’s Hospital and the 414 military hospital.

At the same time, from last night until today, police officers supporting the work of the Fire Department have proceeded with over 250 rescues of people from the affected areas of Attica.

Subscription from Cyprus

Cyprus is preparing a multi-member mission which will leave immediately for Athens in order to support the efforts of the Greek authorities against the devastating fires raging in Attica.

Heartbreaking image of the fire from NASA satellites shortly before 1:00 p.m.:

NASA