Fires in West Attica: All-night battle with flare-ups - Alarm for the 'kanthilakia'

Residents in West Attica, Greece, are enduring difficult conditions as a large wildfire, which began in Boeotia, rages for its fourth day. The blaze continues to threaten settlements and homes in the broader Vilia and Megara areas.

While the overall situation shows signs of receding, the northern part of the fire above Psatha remains active. Here, numerous small flare-ups, referred to by firefighters as 'kanthilakia,' continue to emerge, demanding persistent efforts from firefighting forces. This area features a mix of olive groves and forest vegetation, with hot spots requiring continuous intervention.

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This is a fire with a very large perimeter

Earlier, residents of Loumpa, Morfeika, and Ano Alepochori were instructed to evacuate towards Megara via the 112 emergency alert. Similar evacuation orders were issued for Psatha, Kantili, and Agios Konstantinos, directing people toward Nea Peramos. The fire spread with extreme speed in Psatha, engulfing a significant portion of the settlement and reportedly destroying homes.

Despite the ongoing challenges, the Deputy Spokesperson for the Fire Service, Giannis Artopoios, expressed cautious optimism. He noted that most fronts have shown improvement in recent hours. However, he stressed that the operation remains demanding due to the fire's vast perimeter and numerous active hot spots, necessitating round-the-clock vigilance.

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constant vigilance is required