Firefighters battled a large wildfire burning out of control on the Aegean island of Paros on Wednesday after flames spread rapidly overnight, prompting precautionary evacuations as strong winds threatened to hamper firefighting efforts.
The blaze, which broke out Tuesday near the island’s landfill in the central area of Kambi, spread rapidly through dry vegetation, fueled by strong winds and hot, dry conditions.
Overnight, the fire swept through the southwestern area of Agkairia and was moving toward Trypiti after earlier passing through Aneratza and Kamari. Authorities issued a series of emergency 112 alerts ordering residents of Agkairia to evacuate to Alyki beach, followed by evacuation orders for Trypiti, Aspro Horio, Glyfa and Pyrgaki, directing residents to the southeastern coastal village of Dryos.
There were no immediate reports that the fire had entered residential areas.
At first light, aerial firefighting operations resumed with two water-dropping aircraft and five helicopters, one of them coordinating the operation. Additional aircraft were on standby if needed.
