Greek Fire

Appleyard

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Several reports in the UK news about the serious fires in Greece Does anyone have experience of the current situation? Obviously very hot and dry ..what are the conditions like for sailing ? ( PS I know there are websites where I can access the weather,but am interested to hear from those on the spot.)
 

demonboy

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Hi James,

I did hear of a British owned Westerly called Oceandream go up in smoke the other day, but aside from that there's nothing to worry about.
 

Davy_S

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I have been watching the fires on Greek TV, these are the worst so far, 37 dead up to now. We have had 40 degrees for the last few days so any breeze inland feels like a hot air dryer.
Sailing conditions in the Ionian are perfect N/E 3/4 at the moment all the harbours and anchorages have thinned out, so there is plenty room to get in, peace returns.
No rain is forecast, but we certainly need some! Cycladese have run dry, Paxos run dry.
 

demonboy

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Sorry, James. A joke in bad taste. I didn't realise the fires in Greece were so bad. Over here in Turkey there have been some forest fires due to extreme temperatures (though some will have you believe it's the PKK), but without so many fatalities.
 

jimbaerselman

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Worst fires are around Zaharo, about half way down the west coast of the Peloponese (many killed there) and around the Taygetos mountains (the central, south pointing peninsula of the Peloponese) about 40m SW of Kalamata. All together though, there are some 100 sites, including some fires near Athens.

An unusual feature has been very strong NE winds over the Peloponese last couple of days. Luckily, these are dying down, and tomorrow things should be much quieter, making it easier to bring fires under control.

Boats are lucky - they're on the water. Unlike those poor unfortunates in cars . . . 41 known deaths at the moment, probably more. State of emergency declared in the two southern counties of Peloponese - Messinia and Lakonia.
 

Appleyard

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No offence taken Jamie... Although,reading about the intense heatwave , I have been having horrible thoughts of arriving back at the boat (currently ashore in Preveza) and finding a pool of melted GRP where she should have been!! I am going out on Wednesday ..hopefully things will begin to cool off soon.Sounds as if we will have to bring our own water though!!
 

Davy_S

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Sorry but have been unable to connect to internet all day, we are having power surges probably because of fires on the mainland ie, pylons brought down, Jamie, also no offence taken, latest reports are 52 dead likely to rise, absolute tradgedy, famallies and children burnt alive in their homes and cars. The latest fires have caused sheer davastation, very upsetting to watch on local TV. Forecast in the Ionian for tomorrow is N/W 6/7 and the pelleponeese (not good for fires) The Greeks are a delightfull people, to watch what is happening is heartbreaking.
 

Appleyard

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Davy..the story is making the main headlines in the UK news....it loooks absolutely dreadful..there does not seem to be an end in sight,hope all is well in your area.
 

Stevie_T

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Just got back in Blighty today. I had heard about the fires but being pretty much cut off from the news hadn't realised quite how bad it was. Just gone round the pelloponese and visited Olympia on the way round. Quite a shock to see it on TV tonight evacuated because of the encroaching fires, the museum was lost in the smoke.
 
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