Efforts to tackle fire on Mount Athos continue

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The situation has improved since a fire broke out on the 12th of June in the afternoon at the site of Cape Arapis in Petrovouni across from the village of Nea Roda.

The fire broke out quite far from the Hilandar Monastery but, according to the fire department, it is not under control yet. “If all goes well and the weather conditions that currently prevail in the region do not change, then we will be able to bring the fire under control by late noon,” said the head of the Department of Civil Protection of the Central Macedonia Region.

Two Canadair aircraft, a firefighting helicopter,  59 firefighters, 20 vehicles, and three groups are trying to tackle the blaze. “The fire covers 700-800 acres but its intensity has dropped. The forest area is burning in Cape Arapis. However, no monastery is at risk,” said the fire chief.