A man has been arrested by the authorities responsible for the fire that broke out this morning in Naxos, the deputy spokesman of the Fire Department, firefighter Nikos Pastras, announced earlier in a briefing.

As he said, a local resident was arrested under the spontaneous procedure as the negligent culprit of the fire they faced this morning in Naxos and added that today the 30-year-old man who yesterday while carrying out agricultural work, caused a fire in Nigrita Serres “which fortunately the firefighters faced after a very hard battle with the flames”.

Pastras referred to three “dangerous” as he described them, fires that broke out earlier this morning in Markopoulo, Naxos and Karystos, which he said firefighters and Civil Protection forces “by making great efforts managed to deal with them in time, before they could get out of control and threaten lives, homes and forests.”

Specifically:

– In Markopoulo, 14 vehicles, 30 firefighters, two hiking sections of EMODE, water trucks of the OTAs, a METPE team, 3 helicopters and 4 aircraft operated.

– In Moutsouna Naxos, 6 firefighters with 3 vehicles and 1 helicopter operated, while a message was sent by 112.

– In Karystos, 62 firefighters with 21 vehicles, two hiking sections of the EMODE and 2 helicopters, while the work was assisted by water trucks of the local authorities and the Hellenic Police.

Mr. Pastras stressed: “The weather conditions during the current week are extremely unfavourable due to the drought, high temperatures and winds with gusts of up to 8 Beaufort. These conditions are ideal for the rapid spread of fires, making it difficult for the Fire Brigade to deal with them. We ask our fellow citizens to be our allies in the difficult fight we are fighting every day. We remind you that it is expressly prohibited:

– Burning of dry grass and branches or cleaning debris

– The use of machinery that causes sparks such as circular saws, welding devices

– The use of outdoor barbecues

– Smoking bees

– Throwing lit cigarettes and any other action that may cause a fire.”

“In case you notice smoke or fire please notify 199 or 112 immediately. We are all participants in this effort. We urge everyone to support the Fire Department in its mission to defend human life, property and the forests of our country,” he said.