A major fire started this afternoon in the capital Pendeli area. It is reported that two high fronts of fire are visible above the monastery of Pantokratoros.
At 18:45, from number 112, a message was sent to residents about the evacuation from the village of Drafi to Pallini.
The fire started at about 17:00 and is rapidly moving north of Antusa towards the Penteli mountain range, while the fire has engulfed the forest area above Drafi (north side of Drafi – Vayati region).
The fire brigade forces had to face two fronts of fire: one front that is moving slowly towards the mountain, and the second (the most difficult one, which is moving south towards Drafi – Nea Penteli.
Drafi, evacuated urgently as flames engulfed the outermost houses of the community, while strong winds of up to eight Beaufort blow in the area, which means that if the wind changes, the fire can engulf the entire community in a matter of moments .
The fire brigade reports that 78 firefighters in 22 vehicles, 5 brigades of pedestrian units, including 28 Romanian firefighters, 11 aircraft and 5 helicopters, have been deployed to fight the fire.
In the near future, it is expected to strengthen the pedestrian groups of firefighters, while 3 bulldozers and 1 Chinoock military helicopter are mobilized to help firefighters
Fire department spokesman Giannis Artopios told ERT:This is a complex fire. We will do our best to stop him. Aerial fire extinguishers will operate until 9 pm.”
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