Zakynthos wildfire gradually abating on Monday; One house burned

The wildfire at Keri on the island of Zakynthos was still in progress on Monday but the overall situation was much improved in comparison with the day before, the fire brigade said.

The fire broke out on Sunday morning and spread quickly due to the strong winds blowing in the area. The flames reached the villages of Keri and Agalas, which were evacuated on Sunday afternoon.

One house was burned and there were reports of damage to farmhouses and a hotel.

The fire brigade said that pockets of fire were still burning in the triangle betwen the villages Lithakia, Agalas and Keri but there was no active front and the firefighters were battling with the flames to fully contain the fire by the afternoon, when the National Meteo Service has forecast that winds will get stronger.

A total of 52 fire engines and their crews, 171 fire fighters in total, as well as nine groups of firemen on foot, two firefighting helicopters and four water-dropping helicopters assisted by 13 water-tanker trucks and digging machinery offered by regional and municipal authorities are battling the blaze.

Late on Sunday, general secretary for civil protection Nikos Hardalias arrived on the island with a team of experts, who are coordinating the state response to the blaze with the heads of the Fire Brigade.

Another wildfire burning in Loutraki, Corinth was reported to be totally under control as there is no active flame, only pockets that are still smouldering on the mountain.