Evacuations south of Athens as wildfires spread in extreme heat
Urgent evacuation orders have been issued for five communities south of Athens as a large wildfire rages near the capital.
The blaze, which began Thursday in the Palaia Fokaia seaside area, is intensified by strong winds and Greece's first summer heatwave, with temperatures nearing 40C.
Firefighters, supported by water-dropping planes and helicopters, are battling the inferno, which has sent thick smoke across the sky and consumed at least one house.
The entire wider Athens area and several Aegean islands are currently at Level 4 on a 5-level scale for wildfire danger due to prevailing weather conditions.
This incident follows a recent major wildfire on Chios island, which took four days to control, underscoring the frequent occurrence of such blazes during Greece's hot, dry summers.
Evacuations near Athens as another wildfire hits Greece during heat wave
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Daily Mail
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Dozens evacuated as forest fire rages near Athens just days after blaze ripped through another Greek holiday island
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