Wildfires in Greece mostly under control -- china.org.cn

Greek fire brigade officials on Monday afternoon appeared confident that efforts to extinguish the last remaining wildfires in Attica prefecture would be successful by nightfall, with the emphasis now shifting to preventing any rekindling of fires. Officials from the Greek Fire Brigade press center told Xinhua that there was no active fire front in Attiki on Monday, but they still have the armed force there as the danger of rekindling exists.

Photo taken on August 24, 2009 shows the fire-stricken mountain in a town in northern Athens, capital of Greece. Greek fire brigade officials on Monday afternoon appeared confident that efforts to extinguish the last remaining wildfires in Attica prefecture would be successful by nightfall, with the emphasis now shifting to preventing any rekindling of fires.

Photo taken on August 24, 2009 shows the fire-stricken mountain in a town in northern Athens, capital of Greece. Greek fire brigade officials on Monday afternoon appeared confident that efforts to extinguish the last remaining wildfires in Attica prefecture would be successful by nightfall, with the emphasis now shifting to preventing any rekindling of fires. [Xinhua]

The officials said that the most ominous wildfire still not under control was reported near Mount Kitheronas, where Attica prefecture and Viotia prefecture converge at the Gulf of Corinth. That blaze caused the evacuation of the Porto Germeno resort earlier in the day.

Another wildfire on the island of Chios was under control, while a wildfire burning hilly bushland east of the harbor town of Karystos was still not extinguished.

This NASA handout shows a satellite image of smoke trails from the fires consuming several parts of the Greek capital of Athens, Aug. 23, 2009. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

This NASA handout shows a satellite image of smoke trails from the fires consuming several parts of the Greek capital of Athens, Aug. 23, 2009. [Xinhua/AFP]

The massive multi-front wildfire that erupted on Saturday in several spots of northeast and east Attica prefecture was reported as partially under control by early Monday afternoon, with concern swifting to the wildfire that broke out on Sunday night near Mt. Kitheronas.

Government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros, speaking during his afternoon briefing on Monday, said that the picture at the moment is better, but the risk of the fire's rekindling still exists.

Antonaros stressed that damage of various extents that has been caused in 150 homes has already been recorded and on Tuesday mechanics committees from the Public Works ministry will be carrying out systematic recording.

(Xinhua News Agency August 25, 2009)