A large portion of the forest was burned by the major fire that broke out yesterday afternoon in Asprochori, Oropos, which is now subsiding, according to the area’s mayor, Giorgos Yassimakis.

Speaking to ERT, the mayor of Oropos stated:

“The fire started (yesterday) at 5:50 p.m. The first fire trucks arrived within the first ten minutes, and by 6:25 p.m., an evacuation message was sent via 112.”

Despite the evacuation order, many residents returned to their homes, while others spent the night in their cars.

“They wanted to stay close to their community. Their worry was for their homes and their animals,” the mayor emphasized.

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He confirmed that, so far, there have been no reports of homes burned, although properties were at risk as the fire approached dangerously close to their yards.

Mr. Yassimakis pointed out that the area had previously burned in 1999, but had since fully regenerated and had become a dense pine forest without clearings, where the fire originated.

“Asprochori was a lush green village. The surrounding area has suffered major damage. Unfortunately, a large part of the forest has burned,” he said.