The fire on Mount Athos is ongoing

The forces of the Fire Service are being strengthened to extinguish the fire that broke out at 7am on Saturday, 8 July 2023, local time, in a forested area of Mount Athos, in the wider area of the Monastery of Megistis Lavra.

Two more Canadairs were added to the operation, now reaching four, while a helicopter is also attempting to drop water. In addition, eleven vehicles with 43 firefighters and three teams of ground support have been taken into fighting the raging fires.

The fire is ongoing in a forest area of Mount Athos, far from the Monastery, while winds of 5 Beaufort are blowing in the area.