Greece seeks international help against forest firesGREECE, ATHENS - Greece on Friday called for international help to fight nearly a dozen major forest fires raging unchecked for a second day, as strong winds hampered efforts to extinguish blazes across the country.
Firefighters, forest rangers and the army joined forces with local volunteers in a desperate effort to put out over 100 forest and brush fires that flared up on Thursday, destroying thousands of acres of forests, farmland and numerous houses.Many of the fires receded overnight as strong winds died down temporarily, but blazes on nine main fronts continued and there were concerns that other fires could reignite as the winds picked up again.
"We remain on a constant state of alert as we expect northerly winds to pick up again," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas told reporters. He added that tourists faced no danger.
Amid some of the most devastating fires to hit Greece in recent years, the government said it would hire an extra 1,500 forest rangers to battle the blazes, on top of 4,000 seasonal firefighters already called in to assist 9,500 full-timers.
A total of 52 fire-fighting planes and helicopters are being used to battle the blazes on the mainland and on islands.
HELP FROM ABROAD
The call for international help was made as those fighting the latest fires approached exhaustion in their efforts to put out the blazes. A recent heatwave, that began 12 days ago, and scores of other fires around the country have taken their toll.
The Russian government, which has already sent eight fire fighting helicopters, was planning to send two II-76 planes, capable of carrying 42 tonnes of water.
The Israeli and Czech governments also pledged resources to help fight the Greek fires. Israel has already sent 50 men, two Sikorsky fire-fighting helicopters and C-130 airplane, while the Czech Republic has pledged four airplanes and two helicopters.
Germany was also due to send two helicopters and a C-130 plane on Friday, along with four more helicopters on Saturday.
The mainland prefectures of Corinthia, west of Athens, and Achaia in the Peloponnese were among the worst hit. A 25 km (15 mile) wall of fire raged on in Corinthia, with numerous villages abandoned and more than 30 houses burned.
At least 12 people were taken to hospital, suffering from minor burns and smoke inhalation.
Thousands of concerned residents in Corinthia spent the night on beaches and in main town squares after they abandond their homes as the flames neared. Most spent a sleepless night as fires and smoke on nearby burning hillsides approached.
Fires on the eastern Aegean islands of Chios and Rhodes were brought under control, but two hotels on the lush northern Aegean island of Thassos had to be evacuated as a precaution as flames and smoke from burning pine forests neared.
Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said that the fires were no reason for panic and that everything was under control. "No human life has been in danger so far...all forces are ready to deal with any potential problems," he said.
Christodoulakis also said that no scheduled or charter flights to Greece had been cancelled.