Photo taken on August 24, 2009 shows the
fire-stricken mountain in a town in northern Athens, capital of Greece.
Greek fire brigade officials on Monday afternoon appeared confident that
efforts to extinguish the last remaining wildfires in Attica prefecture
would be successful by nightfall, with the emphasis now shifting to
preventing any rekindling of fires. (Xinhua/Kostas Tsiolas) Photo Gallery>>>
ATHENS, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Greek fire brigade
officials on Monday afternoon appeared confident that efforts to extinguish the
last remaining wildfires in Attica prefecture would be successful by nightfall,
with the emphasis now shifting to preventing any rekindling of fires.
Officials from the Greek Fire Brigade press center
told Xinhua that there was no active fire front in Attiki on Monday, but they
still have the armed force there as the danger of rekindling exists.
The officials said that the most ominous wildfire
still not under control was reported near Mount Kitheronas, where Attica
prefecture and Viotia prefecture converge at the Gulf of Corinth. That blaze
caused the evacuation of the Porto Germeno resort earlier in the day.
Another wildfire on the island of Chios was under
control, while a wildfire burning hilly bushland east of the harbor town of
Karystos was still not extinguished.
The massive multi-front wildfire that erupted on
Saturday in several spots of northeast and east Attica prefecture was reported
as partially under control by early Monday afternoon, with concern swifting to
the wildfire that broke out on Sunday night near Mt. Kitheronas.
Government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros, speaking
during his afternoon briefing on Monday, said that the picture at the moment is
better, but the risk of the fire's rekindling still exists.
Antonaros stressed that damage of various extents
that has been caused in 150 homes has already been recorded and on Tuesday
mechanics committees from the Public Works ministry will be carrying out
systematic recording.
This NASA handout shows a satellite
image of smoke trails from the fires consuming several parts of the Greek
capital of Athens, Aug. 23, 2009. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
