ATHENS – Civil Protection issued a warning late afternoon Saturday to residents of Ano Voula and neighboring areas to evacuate their homes, as the wildfire that started in Ano Glyfada is burning its way into their vicinity.

Police officers are also going door-to-door to let people know that they should evacuate to the area’s Alsos Square, as per instructions in the civil protection’s emergency text message. The text message was sent from the 112 emergency number.

Meanwhile, 72 firefighters with 20 fire engines and 3 ground teams are assisted by 6 water-bombing aircraft, 5 helicopters and municipal water tanks in battling the wildfire that started early Saturday afternoon at the foothills of Mt. Hymettus in Ano Glyfada.

Road traffic at Hymettus Road is diverted from Apollonos Road towards the area of Kremasmenos Lagos, and traffic is also diverted at the intersection of Makedonomaxon and Herodotus roads; it is also diverted in the area of Panorama in Voula, at the intersections of Troias with Priamou Ektoros & Patroklou roads, and of Thessalias and Amartolon roads.

According to the latest information, high winds in the area are fanning the fire into burning several groves and parks in the area of Panorama, in Ano Voula.

One residential home has reportedly been burnt, and many more have had their exterior damaged by the flames.