Fire in Kouvaras: The fiery front is out of control – Lagonisi, Saronida, Anavyssos evacuated

The fire front that broke out in the Kouvaras region of Attica is raging uncontrollably and quickly spread. The situation is considered extremely difficult as strong winds of 5-6 Beaufort are blowing in the area.

Ground and air forces were immediately mobilized, as there are houses close to where the fire front has broken out. 112 messages for residents. Multi-area evacuation order. L. Markopoulou is closed.

Hellish picture near homes

As the representative of the Fire Department, Giannis Artopioos, said, a precautionary evacuation order is given for Lagonisi, Saronida and Anavyssos, towards Palaia Fokaia, while earlier the settlements of Peta, Heloni, Melissourgos, Trambouria were evacuated.

All the above areas have more than 17,000 permanent residents, however it is estimated that at this time there are many more due to the tourist season.

Government sources are closely monitoring the fire in Kalyvia, which is particularly difficult.

According to the information, it is located on the ridge of the first mountain above Kalyvia, with strong winds of 6 to 7 Beaufort and gusts of 8, making aerial drops difficult. Apart from ground forces, patrol tractors, 2 S-64 helicopters, an AB-214 and a coordinating BK-117 operate in the area. Low vegetation in the area makes transmission easy.

At the moment, the front is heading south, has passed towards the second largest mountain towards Melissourgos – Trambouroas and there is a risk that in the next two hours it will descend towards the beach (Kalyvia – Anavyssos). The Fire Department, Civil Protection in collaboration with the mayor have set up a coordination center at the scene and a precautionary evacuation from Melissourgos to Anavyssos via Anavyssos Avenue has been requested.

Citizens are advised to follow the instructions of the Police and Fire Department. The traffic police has stopped traffic in the area of the new Kouvaras on Lavriou Avenue from Souniou Avenue to the provincial road of Kouvaras in both traffic streams.

According to information, the neighboring Health structures have been put on standby by the emergency health and ambulance services. 2 ambulances and a motorcycle of the EKAB Rapid Response Team have been sent to the scene for coverage.

At the moment the ambulance service-EKAV has received 2 calls, for a respiratory incident and for a possible stroke which they are already trying to transfer. The single Operations Center of EKAV is in constant communication with the Operations Center of the PS.

With its emergency announcement, Meteo’s Pyrometeorological team makes an excuse for extremely adverse weather conditions as BA winds are blowing in the area at 5-6 Beaufort, with gusts exceeding 50 km/h.

Civil Protection: Strong winds and very high fire risk

The temperature is at 33 – 34 oC, while the flammability of forest fuel is estimated to be extremely high (estimated dead forest fuel moisture lower than 8%). The fire-meteorological conditions are extremely favorable for the rapid spread of the fire, which is driven by the enhanced NE winds. In addition, dry conditions combined with enhanced winds greatly increase the likelihood of spotting (starting of new foci at a distance from the main front due to the creation and transport of hot spots).

Based on the latest forecast data, pyrometeorological conditions in the fire area will remain extremely adverse until late afternoon (19:00/20:00), when a gradual improvement is expected due to weakening winds.

As Meteo reports, it should be noted, however, that the flammability of dead forest fuel will remain particularly high during the night hours (moisture content values below 10-11%), which is expected to make it difficult to control the fire.

“The fire is not accessible from all points so it spreads”

Dimitra Rapti, president of the Saronikos Municipal Council, spoke to MEGA channel, stating that she is worried about the outcome of the fire due to the strong winds blowing in the area.

“Within an hour, the fire left Lavriou Avenue at the height of the Peta settlement. It passed over a residential area. So far there has not been a single house that has burned down,” she said.

“I am concerned that there is a very strong wind and the fire has spread to a large extent and is not accessible from all its points, which is why it spread with the wind. We should draw the attention of the people, not to use Lavriou Avenue at the height of Peta, not to use the inner road that goes from Keratea to Kalyvia” added Ms. Rapti.

She noted that the Municipality’s call center (2299320300) is available to the public, for any problem or to call for help.

“There are already calls from elderly people who, due to the intense smoke, need to be moved and we are trying to meet this need with the means of the Municipality,” she added.

Finally, she emphasized that many aerial vehicles are needed to bring the fire under control.