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Firefighters in Greece continued to battle a major wildfire for a fifth consecutive day on Tuesday after the flames spread from the Viotia regional unit into western Attica, damaging more than 132,000 decares, or approximately 13,200 hectares, of forestland.
The fire has also damaged numerous homes and businesses, according to reports in the Greek press.
The area between Psatha and Loumpa remained the most critical part of the wildfire, prompting emergency crews to concentrate their efforts along that front.
A total of 526 firefighters, 29 ground teams and 141 fire engines were deployed, while two aircraft and four helicopters supported the operation from the air. Authorities were expected to bring in additional aircraft during the day.
Yannis Artopios, deputy spokesperson for the Greek Fire Service, warned that rising afternoon temperatures and falling humidity levels could increase the risk of the fire flaring up again.
He said the crews' main objective was to keep the blaze from moving beyond its existing boundaries.
Greek authorities detained 33 people between July 29 and Aug. 2 for allegedly violating wildfire regulations.
Thirty of those detained are being investigated for fires believed to have been caused through negligence, while three are facing investigations over suspected deliberate acts.
Among those detained in connection with the major Viotia-Attica wildfire was Stilis Mayor Yannis Apostolu.
Authorities are examining whether an overhead electricity transmission line built by a company allegedly linked to the mayor may have been the point where the fire broke out.
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