FIRE

[Ali & Dave]

Well, I'm afraid disaster struck yesterday and we had a fairly major fire here.  Luckily nobody was hurt and no buildings were damaged.  However the destruction to the olive trees and the other plants is devastating.

It started up the valley by the old mill and as we were having extremely strong winds it was almost impossible to control it.  Many of the locals battered for hours trying to save their olives and we had the fire brigade down from Spili and Rethymno.

It spread down the valley then veered off towards Secret Nest burning a huge swathe behind Clio and Ariadne studios, past Aretousa, Secret Nest and up the right side of Lappa apartments.  The whole of the hillside between On the Rocks and Talos has been burnt out completely as well as much the hill up towards Selia.  

The fire brigade were fighting it all night, you could see the glows of fire all up the hillside.

The bad news is that it has kicked off again today mid-morning half way up to Selia, the hope is that as the wind is dropping they may be able to bring in the helicopter to douse it.  But it's still burning as I am writing this.

[compage]

I'm sure that forum members will wish to extend their sympathy to all the locals affected by the fire and I hope the library survived.

[harribobs]

well thank god no one was hurt but the loss of the olive trees has got to have a big effect

Ali-Dave, thanks for the update, i'd just wish everyone there all the best (as i'm sure the rest of the forum does) and hope the fire is got under contral asap

[Graham_and_Karen]

I'm sure that forum members will wish to extend their sympathy to all the locals affected by the fire and I hope the library survived.
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Yes - sad news for all of us that love the area so one can only try to imagine how the locals are feeling - it's their environment and their livelihoods.

 

[Katerina]

This is dreadful news for those who live in Plakias and love it.
It's obviously serious since it has made the national news in a country where summer fires are almost routine:
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_artic...7/07/2006_71795
I can't believe anyone would want to do such a thing, it will take years for the land to recover
Good luck to everyone there trying to put the blaze out

[The Duchess]

The library is ok. Andy was down there, twice, to clean it up. Apparently the place stinks - we all know what burnt olive oil smells like. The old trees and most of the plant-life will survive, they are adapted to survive the occasional fire. The wildlife, of course, won't be so lucky.

Thank God no-one was hurt.

Please remember, regular visitors, that Plakias depends on tourism. The residents won't think you're being voyeristic, and the welcome will be warmer than ever.

[harribobs]

welcome to the forum Duchess, and thanks for the further update

it certainly won't put me off coming!

[ostraco]

It's not going to put me off either - still looking forward to my annual visit!

Thanks for the early info Ali - it would have been a shock to read about the fire anywhere else!

My thoughts go to all the locals, with a strong wish their determined personalities shine through, and that they will soon be back on their land.

[John R]

Definitely not putting us off. Will be sad to see the damage but things can only get better from now onwards.

I hope Ali that you can tell as many residents as possible that we are all thinking of them and will be loyal to them etc. I rang Babis last night to commiserate- he recognised me with my code word - "no veg - just portartos" - with which he greets me (a food fad) every time he approaches our table for an order.

John R

[Susan K]

I am so very sorry and sad that this has happened and I hope the fire is now out. I feel for the local people and understand what sort of effect this might have on them.

Ali & Dave please keep us posted and tell everyone we are thinking about them.

Susan

[Ali & Dave]

Latest information received from a reliable source is that the fire today was also started deliberately and the culprits were spotted then and later when they tried to set fire to Yiannis and Maria's (parents of Stelios from Ostraco) vegetable patch.  The police have been informed and it appears that they are non-greek teenagers who live in Selia!!

Hopefully now we can all start to relax.

Unfortunately some of the olive trees will not survive as the older, bigger tree trunks have been smoldering for hours and have been a real problem to put out.

I'm sure the locals here will appreciate all your kind thoughts.  The exhaustion and anger is obvious but being as professional as they are many who fought to save their homes and olives yesterday are still dealing with tourists in a courteous and friendly manner with a smile

[John R]

I wouldn't like to be in the shoes of those teenagers from Selia. The sooner the police have them in custody for their own sakes the better !! (or perhaps a short delay may ensue ??)

[harribobs]

i saw the newspaper story that said it might have been deliberate but thought it was just  building up the story

we have trouble with the local kids but.............

i know this might sound self centred...but i hope to god we're not talking about english ex pats kids

[Denis and Chris]

Ali can you tell us how this affected Vangelis and family at the Aretousa, along with all the sheep he had in his field.

[Ali & Dave]

Hi Dennis and Chris

Aretousa and the sheep in the field next to it survived.  Unfortunately the animals between Secret Nest and The Olive Grove didn't.

Understandably Evangalika and her husband were very upset, lots of hugs and tears.  But as each day passes there are more smiles.

Ali