Wildfire ravages protected Strofilia forest
- Written by E.Tsiliopoulos
A great fire broke out early Tuesday afternoon in the Strofilia forest, on the border between Achaia and Ilia, at the height of Kounoupeli, Peloponnese. The fire front is already moving to Falari.
The Fire Brigade is speaking about a dangerous fire, as strong winds are blowing in the area.
A Super Puma helicopter and two Canadair firefighting airplanes have been on the site, in addition to the ground force of 25 vehicles and more than 50 men from Ilia and Achaia.
According to information broadcast by ilialive.gr, a Canadair that got airborne from HAF Elefsina Base turned back for unknown reasons and an order was given to two Canadairs from Thessaloniki to go instead.
The first arrived at Ilia at about seven in the afternoon, while the second later, carrying technical support. The two planes began to operate with the first light Wednesday morning.
Estimates at this time are still pessimistic as to the result of firefighting efforts, despite some success, on Wedbesday.
The forest of Strofilia is a national park of 22.000 acres protected by the Ramsar Treaty and the Natura Network.
