Fire in Varybobi raging; local residents receive 112 emergency number warning
The wildfire that broke out in a forest in the Varybobi area on Tuesday afternoon spread quickly due to the dry conditions, despite the lack of strong winds and the efforts of fire-fighting forces to contain it quickly.
The Civil Protection service sent a message to residents of Varybobi and Kryoneri via the European emergency number 112, advising them that a forest fire was underway in their area and urging them to seal their chimneys, doors and windows to prevent flaming cinders from entering their homes. It also called on them remaining on alert for further instructions from the authorities.
While the lack of strong winds is a positive sign, there have also been a number of explosions whose source has yet to be identified and will be clarified once the fire is under control.
There are 60 fire-fighters with 20 vehicles, two teams of fire fighters on foot and four helicopters and four aircraft, including a Beriev 200, deployed to put out the fire. Their efforts are being coordinated by the fire brigade chief, Lieutenant General Stefanos Kolokouris.
The police have stopped the movement of vehicles on the Tatoiou Road between Kymis Avenue and Erithrea Road, on Erithrea Road between the Varybobi bridge and on Tatoiou from Parnithos Road (Ippokratios Politia).
