An extremely difficult day in Kythera, as the large fire that broke out in the morning in the area of Pitsinades spread rapidly due to strong winds and burned extensive areas, including agroforestry areas and parts of settlements.
The fire passed through or near the settlements of Mylopotamos, Kato Chora, Pitsinades and Dourianika, with reports of burnt houses and damage to olive groves and beehives. Citizens were stranded on Limnionas beach when 112 sent them there from Milopotamos and Kato Chora and were rescued by sea with the help of the Coast Guard and private citizens. They were transferred to Kapsali.
It is noted that the fire started from the settlement of Pitsinades around 9.30 in the morning, very close to the point where the fire of 2017 had started, while it has burned almost the same area as then, with the difference that the winds of 5-6 Beaufort contributed to the rapid spread. As a citizen reports, «what burned in 2017 in 3 days, today burned in 5 hours.».
The head of the major opposition in the Municipality of Kythera, Zacharias Souris, called on the Mayor to request the declaration of a state of emergency on the island, while dozens of citizens are complaining about the lack of air support.
In the afternoon, winds weakened to 2 Beaufort in the afternoon, which probably facilitates ground-based firefighting efforts, but the flames continue to threaten residential areas.
We will come back with any news as it comes in.
