Peloponnese Regional Authority chief Petros Tatoulis issued an order banning the circulation of vehicles and overnight stays by hikers and excursionists in woodlands, forests and other vulnerable wild country on Mount Taygetus until October 15, in a bid to protect the forests from the danger of fires. Exempted from the ban is the Sparti-Kalamata national road and the roads leading to the villages on the mountain, as well as local villagers, livestock owners, members of voluntary organisations and those carrying out forestry work on the mountain. A similar ban has been issued by the deputy regional authority head of Arcadia for the Mainalos forest, the woodlands around the city of Tripolis and the Parnonas National Forest. (AMNA)