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UPDATE…..
The situation in Kefalonia is out of control. 6 villages have now been evacuated for safety reasons only…Fire Alert from the civil protection has been issued warning people in the area…
Photos Florentine Nicoletti
Updated:-
The fire that is burning in Kefalonia and specifically in a forest area in Eleios – in an area between Xenopoulos and Kapandriti – seems to have been started by a shepherd since Saturday morning, according to the Ionian Islands Regional Governor Rodi Kratsa, who spoke on the Greek T.V channel Ant1.
“I was informed that the fire was started by a shepherd. “These are tragic things to happen today”, noted Rodi Kratsa, emphasizing that two villages on the island have been evacuated. At the same time, the Regional Governor stressed that “the weather conditions favor the fire, as 4 beaufort winds prevail”.
Earlier, two villages on the island were evacuated by the Fire Brigade for precautionary reasons. Specifically, the residents left their homes in the villages of Kapandriti and Agia Irini. According to OPEN T.V, the fire is ongoing in a ravine while a dense cloud of smoke has covered most of the island.
People in Zakynthos also have taken videos of the thick cloud of smoke that is trailing along the skyline towards Zakynthos.
According to inkefalonia, the flames from the fire reached the village of Kapandriti and threaten houses. There are two fire fronts in the area, one in Agia Irini and one in Kapandriti, which due to the strong winds are difficult to reduce. In Agia Irini there is no electricity and communication is difficult (even the mobile phone signal is problematic).
Huge effort by fire department
A large fire brigade operation is underway to extinguish the fire. At the same time, volunteers are participating in the firefighting effort in order to prevent the fire from reaching homes. A total of 38 firefighters, 3 groups of pedestrians, 8 vehicles, 2 cannons, 1 air tractor, 4 tow trucks and 2 helicopters are operating.
The Fire Brigade informed earlier that 14 firefighters with 7 vehicles are going by boat from Patras and Kyllini, to strengthen the local fire brigade. Strong winds are blowing in the area, making the work of the island’s fire brigade difficult.
Kapandriti was evacuated
Due to the ongoing fire in Kefalonia, it was decided for precautionary reasons the organized evacuation of the entire population located in the area of Kapandriti. As the mayor of Argostoli, Theofilos Michalatos, states in his decision, the evacuation of the population is done “for reasons of protection of life and health of the people who are in the area”.
Speaking to APE-MPE, the mayor of Argostoli described the fire in Kapandriti as “dangerous due to the strong winds blowing at the spot and the high temperature”, while for the evacuation of the village he stated that “it was done following a suggestion of the Fire Brigade Commander”. Specifically, the decision of the mayor of Argostoli for the evacuation of the area states the following:
Taking into consideration:
the provisions of article 58 and par. 1 of article 282, of Law 3852/2010 (Government Gazette 87 AD) “New Architecture of Local Government and Decentralized Administration – Kallikratis Program”.
The provisions of articles 1 and 13 of Law 3013/02 “On the upgrade of Civil Protection and other provisions” (Government Gazette 102, AD)
The no. 1299/2003 (Government Gazette 423 B ’/ 10-04-2003) Decision of the Minister of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization on the subject: Approval of the 7-4-03 General Plan of Civil Protection with the slogan” Xenocrates “.
The no. 3515 / 28-6-2013 3rd Edition of the General Plan for Emergency Response due to Forest Fires, in the framework of the General Plan of Civil protection with the slogan “Xenocrates”.
The document No. 2934 / 06-05-2015 (ΑΔΑ: 6ΛΗ8465ΦΘΕ-ΝΜΙ) document of the General Secretariat of Civil Protection on the subject: “Guidelines for the organized evacuation of citizens for reasons of protection from evolving or imminent destruction due to forest fires”.
The Special Action Plan for the organized evacuation of citizens for reasons of protection from evolving or imminent destruction due to forest fires, of the Municipality of Argostoli as has been approved and is valid until today.
The oral suggestion of the Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade Mr. Psarros Konstantinos for the need to implement the OAP, in the area of Kapandriti
We decide: The organized evacuation of the entire population located in the area of Kapandriti for reasons of protection of the life and health of the people who are in severe danger which is occurred by a forest fire “.
Source:- Inkefalonia.gr, Ethnos.gr
