Major rekindling of fires in greater Volos region and also in northern Lamia city
Wildfires were rekindled in the greater Volos area, in Magnesia prefecture, the Fire Brigade reported on Thursday afternoon, despite earlier hope that lower wind velocity would improve the fire front.
Volos residents were ordered to stay indoors on Wednesday due to very thick smoke from the regional fires, while the city also experienced power cuts, which created problems in water supply.
Rekindling on Thursday resulted in the evacuation of several residential communities on Volos' coastal front, from the city itself to as far as Nea Anchialos, 18 km southeast of Volos, including the villages of Megali Velanidia, Marathos and Kritharia.
Another fire rekindling has also occured at Seklo and Agios Georgios in Feres (east of Velestino, where the fire first started on Wednesday), heading to Kastraki and Mikrothives, west of Volos.
Orders for evacuations were conveyed through the 112 emergency text messaging service.
Lamia city fire rekindled
The fire that first broke out on Wednesday in the northern sections of the central Greek city of Lamia at Fthiotis region was rekindled in late afternoon on Thursday, said the Fire Brigade.
Although it had been contained since Wednesday evening through at least Thursday morning, the fire presented an active front later, which the Fire Brigade said it was some 800 meters away from a residential area.
The fire was moving towards the areas of Amfithea and Pournaraki, while residents at Acharnes were ordered to evacuate their homes via the emergency number 112.
Strong firefighting forces were operating in Lamia, assisted by 2 water bombers.
Aircraft transfer
Hellenic Air Force aircraft were being relocated from the military airport at Nea Anchialos, near Volos, on Thursday after regional wildfires spread close to the base.
The order was issued on Thursday evening following explosions at a munitions depot that were heard in Volos and the greater area, breaking several windows in the Nea Anchialos region.
The air base houses the Tactical Air Force's 111 Combat Wing.
See also:
Munitions depot at Air Force base explodes after fire spreads in Volos region
No active fronts in Magnesia; Firefighting forces still battling rekindled fires on Rhodes