Every ten minutes we have a new fire, stressed the spokesman of the Fire Department Vassilis Vathrakogiannis during the emergency briefing on the big fire in Varis – Koropi. “We constantly have new flames,” he further stressed.

According to the Fire Department spokesman, there were 300 new fires, which is almost one every ten minutes. As he pointed out, “in recent hours we have constantly new ones. Most of them were dealt with immediately in the first stage” and added that it was a very difficult day today with many fire starts in many areas of the territory.

Regarding the fire that broke out in Koropi, Mr. Vathrakogiannis said it started from low vegetation on Varis- Koropi Avenue, near the Evelpidon School and is ongoing and stressed that “this fire spread rapidly in the wider area with the help of very strong winds whose gusts reached 8 Beaufort.” For this reason, he stressed, a warning message was first issued by 112 and then two more messages were issued to evacuate residents from the areas of Lambrica and Kichi Koropi.

“With the assistance of Greek Police forces, where necessary, the removal of residents is being carried out because their safety is paramount. The forces operating are constantly reinforced,” he noted. In particular, as was known by the Fire Department, 72 firefighters with 2 teams of hiking sections, 28 vehicles, 4 aircraft and 6 helicopters are currently operating.

At the same time, Mr. Vathrakogiannis said that another dangerous fire in Kranidi Argolida is underway, in which, as he said, strong ground and air forces are operating, while a short while ago a message was issued by 112 in order to remove residents from the area of Dardiza Ermionida.

In particular, the 112 message states: “Forest fire in your area. If you are in the Dardiza area, please move away towards Thermisia and Petrothalassa Ermionis. Follow the instructions of the authorities”.

“We call everyone’s attention because fires are quickly taking on dimensions and becoming dangerous,” Vathrakogiannis stressed.