Greek authorities on Thursday said a total of 152 wildfires and rural blazes erupted around the country on Monday and Tuesday alone, amid gale force winds and arid conditions in parts of the east Mediterranean nation.
Fire brigade chief Theodoros Vagias said many of the wildfires erupted simultaneously on Monday and Tuesday in the Preveza region in coastal northwest Greece, namely, nine and 18, respectively. Two fires erupted at nearly the same time on the island of Zakynthos on Monday, followed by another three on Tuesday.
A similar pattern, he said, was seen during the same two days on the islands of Kefalonia (Cephalonia) and Chios (Hios).
In terms of Achaia prefecture and the greater Patras region, which bore the brunt of several wildfire fronts this week, Vagias said that six blazes erupted on Tuesday within a few hours.
Situation near Patras
Scattered flare-ups were the main problem faced by fire-fighters on Thursday in western Achaia prefecture, near the port city of Patras, after three days of wildfire fronts ravaging the area.
Only one active front was reported, near the Romanos settlement.
Another 15 residences were reported as completely destroyed in the village of Miraiika, in western Achaia prefecture.
Additionally, numerous sites around the prefecture remained without power and water supply.
Source: Tovima.com
