Nicos Papanicolau
BBC News, Athens
See: Greek wildfires burn houses and fill the sky with smoke
Greece is fighting five major wildfires across the country, with officials evacuating residents of the Hardhit area, 30km (18.6 miles) north of Athens.
The smell of burning wood was carried to Central Athens, just as Greece demanded the assistance of the European Union to combat the spreading flames.
An ongoing emergency occurs amid a serious heat wave. Temperatures are expected to reach up to 44C on Sunday, with extreme heat expected throughout most of the weekend.
“We have injured firefighters, put human lives in danger, property burned, and woodlands destroyed,” said Giannis Kefalosiannis, Greek Climate Crisis and Minister of Civil Protection.
Strong winds and burnt temperatures incited the flames. Greece has formally requested assistance from the EU civil protection mechanisms of six additional fire aircraft.
In Attica, where Athens is located, a fire that began on Saturday in Affidness quickly spread Dorosopigi, Kurineli and Agios Stefanos, causing residents to flee.
Firefighters say the main front is contained, but the scattered hotspots continue to burn. More than 200 firefighters, supported by helicopters and hydro-bombing aircraft, are still operating in the area.
On Evia Island, officials said the second flame near Pisona had been “out of control” and moved quickly towards Afrati.
Several villages, including Pournos and Mistros, are left without electricity after the flames destroy the pylons and power lines.
Six firefighters were taken to hospital with burns and smoke inhalation as 115 staff members continue to fight the flames.
“The destruction is immeasurable,” said Giorgos Pusasas, mayor of Dilfillon Mesapion.
Yannis Kolesidis/EPA/Shutterstock
Volunteers fight to release a burning home in a residential area of Clioneri, on the outskirts of Athens, Greece
In Kittyra, a third wildfire engulfs most of the island, with residents explaining the scene of “complete destruction.” Several settlements were evacuated and the coast guard, supported by civilian boats, rescued 139 people from Limnionas Beach and transported them safely to Capsari Port.
In Messinia, the fourth wildfire broke out in the Polythea region of Triphilia on Saturday morning, intensifying later that day.
Five emergency warnings have been sent through Greek 112 systems, urging people to leave multiple villages. Strong winds have made efforts difficult for firefighters, with 84 firefighters, 30 vehicles and seven aircraft working on the flames.
Meanwhile, in the Chania region of Crete, a fifth wildfire is raging in Temenia. The fire began in two separate locations and quickly spread, destroying at least two homes.
Officials said several regions are further under fire threat, including the Ionian Islands, Western Greece, Peloponneses, Central Greece, Attica, Epilus, Western Macedonia (Florina, Castoria, Kozani), Eastern Macedonia and Truss (Eblos), Thessary (Magnesia, Larasia, Trina, Trisara), Larasia), Thessari (Eblos), and Thessari (Trisara).
Last month, a fire on Chios, Greece’s fifth largest island in the northern Aegean Sea, destroyed 4,700 hectares (11,600 acres) of land.
In early July, a wildfire on Crete Island forced the evacuation of 5,000 tourists.
