Wildfire near Greek capital Athens rages
STORY: Hundreds of people have evacuated their homes across the country since fires erupted in northern Greece on Saturday (August 19), fanned by high winds in the summer's second major outbreak. The fire brigade said several fires were afflicting mainland Greece.
The fire brigade warned that more fires could break out, and spokesman Ioannis Artopios said conditions remained "difficult, and in several cases extreme."
About 20 km (12 miles) north of Athens, more than 200 firefighters backed by volunteers - alongside 65 vehicles and 15 aircraft, some sent from Sweden and Germany - battled a blaze that began early on Tuesday near Fyli, a village in the foothills of Mount Parnitha and spread towards the town of Menidi.
The capital has been smothered in smoke and ash since the blaze broke out on Tuesday.
By Wednesday, about 150 people were evacuated by bus from three nursing homes in Menidi to hotels or other care facilities.
