The wildfire on Zakynthos. [Intime News]
Firefighting forces are battling multiple blazes in western Greece, including the islands of Kefalonia and Zakynthos and areas near the coastal towns of Vonitsa and Preveza, with dozens of residents told to evacuate settlements in the path of the fires.
The fire on Zakynthos started early in the morning from a forest area in the Kiliomenos area and quickly spread, due to strong winds. According to the latest Fire Brigade briefing, the flames have reached houses on the outskirts of the village of Agalas, where a strong firefighting contingent has been operating since dawn. Authorities have deployed the island’s entire firefighting force of 60 firefighters with 17 fire engines, two ground teams and two water bombers. An alert warned Agala’s residents to evacuate to Keri. Skai news reported that at least one hotel in the Apelati area, just before Keri, was evacuated as a precaution.
The flames were visible from the popular beach of Laganas, with tourists posting clips of thick clouds rising behind the mountains on social media.
A second major blaze was in a forested area near Vonitsa. Residents of the settlement of Varko were told to prepare to evacuate towards Paliambela, as 85 firefighters with 27 fire engines, three ground teams, nine aircraft and a helicopter were operating in the area. The local mayor, Athanasios Kasolas, told ERT radio he had received reports that a house had burned. A video posted on social media platform X showed the flames in Vonitsa approaching the local beach.
Authorities were also concerned about a fast-moving wildfire near Preveza, as strong winds were fanning the flames. An evacuation alert was sent to people in Gymnotopos to move towards Kerasonas.
On Kefalonia, the wildfire broke out shortly after 3 a.m. in the Faraklata area of the island but is currently far from residential areas, the president of the municipality, Evangelos Marinakis, told ERT. The flames are burning low vegetation and aerial operations carrying out water drops started at dawn. An emergency text message was sent overnight instructing residents of Faraklata, Dilina and Davgata to evacuate toward Myrtos. Marinakis said there were temporary power cuts in the central part of the island but electricity is gradually being restored.