Greece has been hit with a blaze of forest fires whose impact are so severe, travellers are being urged to “remain indoors and switch off air conditioning.” The stark warning could marr UK travellers’ dream summer vacation should they be cooped up inside as authorities tackle the raging blazes. The warnings to remain indoors even extend as far as Athens – despite the initial blazes starting in the Psachna region. Yet the series of warnings over the weekend, and continuing into this week, have been issued by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) should, be taken seriously.
Greek authorities so far have been forced to evacuate tourists from the island of Elafonisos as a powerful wildfire spread from a landfill site.
Strong winds then pushed it through the island as the terrifying scenes unfolded.
Greek authorities have issued a level 5 red alert for the island of Elafonisos in the Pelaponessus region of Greece.
Today, the FCO updated Travel advice for Britons and stated: “Information on wildfires that are ongoing in the Psachna area of the island of Evia (north of Athens) and in the Corianthiakos Bay area of Thiva (north-west of Athens) – is smoke from the fire on Evia is also affecting Athens.
“Local authorities have advised that anyone with breathing difficulties should remain indoors and switch off air-conditioning units.
“If you’re in affected areas, follow the advice of the Greek authorities and monitor the website of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection for updates.”
It added the fires have also sparked travel issues on the roads, with issues of tourists and residents getting around.
The FCO stated: “The National road between Payras and Pyrgos has been closed.”
Elafonisos is a popular tourist destination in Greece and sees roughly 3,000 visitors during summer every year.
Some several thousand tourists left the island on Thursday, but evacuations continued on Saturday even after fire services said the blaze was “under control.”
Express.co.uk reported how tourists had been evacuated from hotels and campsites in the height of the fire.
It was was eventually brought under control on Sunday night, as authorities released 121 firefighters, six aeroplanes and five helicopters to drive it back.
The Elafonisos blaze was one of several which broke out in Greece over the weekend.
According to the Fire Services, some 63 broke out from 7am on Saturday to 7pm on Sunday.
Around three million tourists visit Greece every year, with most holidays happening without incident.
