Two forest fires broke out in the mountains of Zakynthos Island on Thursday night due to gale force over 9 Beaufort. One fire occurred in the area between Kambi and Exo Hora, and the other in the Spiliotissa area in Ortonia.
The immediate intervention of firefighters and local residents, as well as the help of Civil Protection, has so far prevented the fire from spreading to settlements. According to local media imerazantethe fire between Exo Hora and Kambi is already controlled by the fire brigades.
The fire in Orthonia started when a pillar fell to the ground under a gust of wind.
While the fire at Spiliotissa in Ortonia is already partially under control, local authorities have asked the public transport authority to keep bus drivers on standby in case local residents need to be evacuated.
Late in the evening, the wind increased, and the already fading fire gained strength again. Firefighters working in areas of fire have stepped up efforts to bring the fire under control, notes imerazante.gr.
Strong winds make it impossible to use the most effective means of fire extinguishing in mountainous areas – airplanes and helicopters, which means that firefighters will have to work hard and dangerous.
Recall that maritime traffic between the Ionian Islands, including Zakynthos-Kyllini, was stopped on Thursday due to a gale thatreportedly reached 10 points on the Beaufort scale.
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