Early wildfire hits Skopelos
Early wildfire hits Skopelos
26 March 2008
published by www.ekathimerini.com
Greece — Firefighters on the island of Skopelos brought under control late yesterday a wildfire that had prompted authorities earlier to declare a state of emergency.
Authorities said two firefighters suffered slight burns in the blaze, which ravaged more than 300 hectares of forestland but did not threaten inhabited areas.
Gale-force winds blowing in the area hampered efforts to extinguish the fire, which broke out Monday and quickly spread, despite overnight rainfall.
One source said the fire was caused by local residents who were burning brush.
The fire service said a total of 53 wildfires broke out Monday and early yesterday throughout the country.
Central Greeces Pelion and Patras in the Peloponnese were among the other areas where fires broke out but were controlled later in the day.
There were no other reports of injuries.
