Fires of Greece, Kefalonia & Evia

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On Monday, August 26, Arlene, Myrna, and I arrived back in Athens on the Blue Star ferry from the island of Rhodes. What a wonderful 2 week trip to Kos and Rhodes. But first I only want to mention the terrible wild forest fires that have occurred over the last 5 days in Greece. Although there were absolutely so many fires I will make mention of a few places and make general comments only as I have watched T V and have heard from my relatives about the fires, but do not know all the facts. Firstly it is felt that many of these fires may have been started although not a proven fact. Unfortunate. The main fires were on the Island of Evia, that is where Arlene and Nick's family have a summer home, although fortunately it did not touch their village of Nea Styra, but did cover so many kilometers of the island. I personally drove through a few of these areas of previously beautiful olive trees, cyprus trees, pine trees etc. some so old and all so beautiful. The forest areas are so beautiful. But it is so dry here and the winds were so high which contributed to the ravaging fires. Also so many villages and houses included were burnt, plus so much history. Also a number of people lost their lives, about 60. Another very unfortunate thing, plus so many animals. It will take a very long time to be able to restore their forests and homes. The other big fires were close to where nephew Alex lives, in the mountains behind Amaliada, another beautiful place including a farming community. The TV stations were filming only the fires 24 hours a day showing Ya Ya's and PaPou's (Grandmother and Grandfathers) carrying pails of water to try put out a large fire and carrying olive branches to try put out the fires. It is so difficult to bring the water to these mountain areas. During the day the saving was a water planes that dropped buckets of water. Today this morning now the TV has stopped the 24 hour view of the fires as they seem to be slowly getting better, but still not over with. We hope today that things will improve even more. My heart goes out to all the families of Greece that suffered from this terrible tragedy.

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Photos

fires on Kefalonia
This was just a short drive up our hotel road ont he island of Kefalonia.

Fire from a distance ont he island of Kefalonia
We were at the beech and saw smoke, not realizing that the fire was just meters from our hotel. On our return, we had to wait several hours prior to returning to our hotel. We watched the sky till 3 am befoe going to bed worried.

The Candian Water plane
At our beech, we were amazed to see the water planes in front of us glide along the water to pick up water to help put our the fires. We were proud of the Canadian plane.

The canadian plane dropping water on the fires
We were all amazed at watching the events

The fires of Kefalonia
This is what we saw on our return from the beech close to our hotel. Unfortunate.

Another view of the fire on Kefalonia
We were worried about staying at our hotel, almost ready to pack up, but were assured by fire dept that all would be ok at this time and place.

on island of Evia
after the fire went through

Evia
another view after the fires

Seeing the fire destruction in Evia
Along the roadside

More devistation of fires
Evia

The once beautiful forest and trees
Evia

More burned forest on Evia
We were sad as we drove through the fire area

Beautiful olive and cyprus trees up in smoke
Sad to see this

Burnt forest
In Evia along our drive

Sad to see this
Island of Evia