Fires raging for third day – Battle not to approach the National Road at the height of Motor Oil refineries (video-photos)

Continuous flare-ups in Loutraki, the municipality in a state of emergency

The fire brigades are currently fighting a titanic battle with the flames, as the big fire that started in Dervenochoria reached very close to the Motor Oil Refinery, just 400 meters above the National Road.

For the moment, according to the latest information, Motor Oil is not in danger, while since Wednesday morning ground and air forces have been fighting to keep the fire away from the National Road. Two aircraft and two gliders are operating over the highway.

In Vlychada, the fire is in remission while it has been cut off from the Mandra – Magoula national freeway. The fire in Nea Zoi is also in remission, but the fear of flare-ups is constant. The fire southwest has passed to Panagia Gorgoepikoo Monastery, however, it is not threatened as around 8 am it was heading towards Kandil-Megara, where a great effort is being made to contain it.

Southeast, the fire is moving over the Aspropyrgos toll road, towards EVDAP, and all indications are that it will soon be controlled.

Northwest towards Agia Sotira and Oinoi the fire front seems to be more difficult. Northeast towards the village of Stefani the fire has no momentum and is being managed. Since early morning strong ground firefighting forces and five aircraft with eight helicopters are operating in the area.

Livestock farmers in the area are scrambling for their stock, which is located on the mountain slopes. If they were to go up in flames, the destruction would be incalculable, both in terms of the cost of life for the animals and the farmers’ property.

The problem of the fires in Panorama of Loutraki remains enormous. More specifically, the area is subject to constant flare-ups and the flames have spread to the settlement, which had previously been evacuated as a precautionary measure. As a consequence, the extent of the destruction that has occurred is currently unknown. Moreover, the proximity of the front to the highway is forcing the authorities to concentrate their efforts to contain the fire there, occasionally stopping traffic. Since the early hours of the morning, four aircraft and three helicopters have been operating in the area, in addition to ground forces.

In Metaki, according to the latest update from the police, traffic was restored on the new Athens-Corinthos highway from the Epidauros junction to the junction of Agioi Theodoroi on the Athens-bound traffic flow.

In the direction of Corinth, from the Epidaurus junction to the junction of Agioi Theodoroi, traffic is now moving in the left and middle lanes, while the right lane remains closed.