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FIRE SERVICES in Greece are on high alert amid fears that there may be a repeat of last year’s wildfire disaster which caused more than 60 fatalities and destroyed large areas in the southern and central parts of the country.
As Fire Risk Management went to press, more than 100 separate fires were reported to be burning as the country experienced heatwave conditions. Firefighters were battling blazes in central and northern Greece and on the island of Andros.
Firefighting waterbomber planes and helicopters were used to bring two large fires near Athens under control – one near the village of Markopoulo, 25 miles from the capital, and one close to the town of Aspropyrgos, 12 miles west of Athens. In the latter blaze, there were reports that four warehouses had been damaged, but no-one was hurt.
Fire officials in Greece claim that all the major fires are now receding, but authorities remain on very high alert with the risk of further fires breaking out.
Greece’s Government says it is well-prepared to deal with the wildfire season, but there has been criticism, particularly from environmental groups, that it is failing to take sufficient steps to avoid a disaster similar to last year, when widespread fires triggered a state of emergency in the country.
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