Firefighting forces are being continuously reinforced as the Kouvaras wildfire, which broke out in low vegetation at around 8 am on Monday, August 10, remains in full progress.
According to the latest information from the Fire Service, the flames have damaged two businesses on the outskirts of the Agios Stylianos settlement. The extent of the damage will be assessed once the fire has been brought under control.
Strong winds in the area appear to be pushing the fire away from the settlement and towards the mountain, into a ravine that is making firefighting operations more difficult.
Nearly 200 firefighters on the front
Following the latest reinforcement, 197 firefighters are operating at the fire, supported by seven specialist foot teams from the 1st and 8th EMODE units, volunteers and 42 vehicles.
The forces include 23 French firefighters with four vehicles and 24 Romanian firefighters with five vehicles. They are in Greece as part of the European pre-positioning programme for firefighters.
For aerial firefighting, two aircraft and seven helicopters have been deployed, with one of the helicopters assigned to coordination duties.
The Municipality of Saronikos is also assisting the operation with water tankers.
112 alerts and evacuation message
Two 112 emergency messages have been issued.
The first, at 8.10 am, warned people in the wider area of the wildfire.
A second message, issued at 8.30 am, instructed people in the wider area of the Agios Stylianos settlement in Kouvaras to move towards Kalyvia Thorikou.
The area is under a Category 4, very high wildfire risk.
Traffic diversions in place
Due to the wildfire, police have introduced traffic diversions on Souniou Avenue from the junction with Lavriou Avenue, in the direction of Agios Stylianos.
Traffic is also being diverted on Eleftheriou Venizelou Street from the junction with Agiou Georgiou Street.
Also read: Cyprus only European country to see greenhouse gas emissions rise
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