Greece's worst wildfire this year spread into the Athens suburbs on Monday, forcing hundreds of people to flee as it torched trees, homes, and cars overnight and choked busy roads with smoke and ash.

The government has called in help from fellow EU members to tackle the fire that is burning out of control for a second day, fanned by gale force winds that pushed it from the wooded hills north of the city.

Firefighters said flames, threatening apartment blocks, schools, and businesses, had reached the deepest into the capital for over two decades.

More than 700 firefighters, backed by volunteers, 199 fire engines, and 35 waterbombing aircraft, have been battling the conflagration that broke out at 3 p.m. on Sunday near the village of Varnavas, 35 km (20 miles) north of Athens.

Greece has activated the European Civil protection mechanism and is expecting assistance from France, Italy, and the Czech Republic with aircraft and firefighters. It has also been offered help by Spain and Turkey.

"The situation remains extremely difficult," said Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, a fire brigade spokesperson. "There are continuous flare-ups, constantly creating new outbreaks and spreading rapidly, aided by very strong winds."

Summers in Greece have long been marked by wildfires, but hotter, drier weather linked to climate change has made blazes more frequent and intense. Wildfires fanned by extreme heat have also raged in parts of Spain and the Balkans.

As the flames closed in on backyards on the outskirts of Athens, some residents in the wooded and hilly Penteli neighbourhood stayed put, trying to put out pockets of fire using hoses or tree branches as smoke swirled around them.

"It hurts, we have grown up in the forest, we feel great sadness and anger," said 24-year-old resident Marina Kalogerakou, her mouth and nose covered by a red bandana as she poured a bucket of water on a burning tree stump.

Another resident, Pantelis Kyriazis, crashed his car as he tried to escape the encroaching flames. "I couldn't see, I hit a pine tree and this is what happened," he said, gesturing towards his damaged car and nursing a bleeding elbow.

Columns of smoke rose over the horizon and a burning smell cloaked Athens. The fire reached Vrilissia, around 14 km (8 miles) from the heart of the capital, albeit with highways separating the suburb from the city centre.

To the north, at the epicentre of the fire, firefighters and residents took stock of the damage: abandoned homes and vehicles gutted by fire; hillsides blackened; trees reduced to sticks.

"Thirty years I was building all this," said 81-year-old Vassilis Stroubelis as he stood in the entrance of his damaged home. "Thirty years and bam."

<h2>Residents evacuated</h2>

There were so far no reports of deaths. Thirteen people were treated by rescuers and medical staff for smoke inhalation and two firefighters for burns, Vathrakogiannis said.

More than 30 areas were forced to evacuate residents, along with at least three hospitals, and power cuts occurred in parts of the wider Athens region. Passenger ferries heading to the port of Rafina northeast of the capital were diverted.

In the community of Rampentosa, north of Athens, 75-year-old Michalis Tsourtis said he fled when he heard flames coming towards him "with a roar".

But others stayed behind, lamenting that they had been left to their own devices.

"Three, four policemen came to tell us to leave. We know that if we leave, no one will defend our house," 71-year-old Sofia Giannopoulou said.

Police had so far helped evacuate more than 250 people, and some residents spent the night in shelters.

The southeastern Mediterranean country this year experienced its warmest winter on record and is on track for its hottest ever summer. Large areas of Greece, including the location of this week's blaze, have seen little or no rain for months.

Greece is on high fire alert at least until Thursday, with strong winds and temperatures forecast to reach up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

Authorities have called for an emergency response involving the army, police, and volunteers during that period.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Greece's worst wildfire this year spread into the Athens suburbs on Monday, forcing hundreds of people to flee as it torched trees, homes, and cars overnight and choked busy roads with smoke and ash.

Greece's worst wildfire this year spread into the Athens suburbs on Monday, forcing hundreds of people to flee as it torched trees, homes, and cars overnight and choked busy roads with smoke and ash. The government has called in help from fellow EU members to tackle the fire that is burning out of control for a second day, fanned by gale force winds that pushed it from the wooded hills north of the city. Firefighters said flames, threatening apartment blocks, schools, and businesses, had reached the deepest into the capital for over two decades. More than 700 firefighters, backed by volunteers, 199 fire engines, and 35 waterbombing aircraft, have been battling the conflagration that broke out at 3 p.m. on Sunday near the village of Varnavas, 35 km (20 miles) north of Athens. Greece has activated the European Civil protection mechanism and is expecting assistance from France, Italy, and the Czech Republic with aircraft and firefighters. It has also been offered help by Spain and Turkey. "The situation remains extremely difficult," said Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, a fire brigade spokesperson. "There are continuous flare-ups, constantly creating new outbreaks and spreading rapidly, aided by very strong winds." Summers in Greece have long been marked by wildfires, but hotter, drier weather linked to climate change has made blazes more frequent and intense. Wildfires fanned by extreme heat have also raged in parts of Spain and the Balkans. As the flames closed in on backyards on the outskirts of Athens, some residents in the wooded and hilly Penteli neighbourhood stayed put, trying to put out pockets of fire using hoses or tree branches as smoke swirled around them. "It hurts, we have grown up in the forest, we feel great sadness and anger," said 24-year-old resident Marina Kalogerakou, her mouth and nose covered by a red bandana as she poured a bucket of water on a burning tree stump. Another resident, Pantelis Kyriazis, crashed his car as he tried to escape the encroaching flames. "I couldn't see, I hit a pine tree and this is what happened," he said, gesturing towards his damaged car and nursing a bleeding elbow. Columns of smoke rose over the horizon and a burning smell cloaked Athens. The fire reached Vrilissia, around 14 km (8 miles) from the heart of the capital, albeit with highways separating the suburb from the city centre. To the north, at the epicentre of the fire, firefighters and residents took stock of the damage: abandoned homes and vehicles gutted by fire; hillsides blackened; trees reduced to sticks. "Thirty years I was building all this," said 81-year-old Vassilis Stroubelis as he stood in the entrance of his damaged home. "Thirty years and bam." Residents evacuated There were so far no reports of deaths. Thirteen people were treated by rescuers and medical staff for smoke inhalation and two firefighters for burns, Vathrakogiannis said. More than 30 areas were forced to evacuate residents, along with at least three hospitals, and power cuts occurred in parts of the wider Athens region. Passenger ferries heading to the port of Rafina northeast of the capital were diverted. In the community of Rampentosa, north of Athens, 75-year-old Michalis Tsourtis said he fled when he heard flames coming towards him "with a roar". But others stayed behind, lamenting that they had been left to their own devices. "Three, four policemen came to tell us to leave. We know that if we leave, no one will defend our house," 71-year-old Sofia Giannopoulou said. Police had so far helped evacuate more than 250 people, and some residents spent the night in shelters. The southeastern Mediterranean country this year experienced its warmest winter on record and is on track for its hottest ever summer. Large areas of Greece, including the location of this week's blaze, have seen little or no rain for months. Greece is on high fire alert at least until Thursday, with strong winds and temperatures forecast to reach up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Authorities have called for an emergency response involving the army, police, and volunteers during that period. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Greece battles largest wildfire of the year, calls for EU assistance

Firefighters were battling a series of wildfires near the Greek capital Athens on Sunday afternoon, as the country braces for another scorching summer.

Greece faces a tough wildfire season after its warmest winter and earliest heatwave on record, with temperatures hitting 44°C (111&nbsp;°F).&nbsp;

Two large wildfires were raging in Attica Sunday afternoon, with residents told to evacuate from eight areas near the capital.

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Some 140 firefighters, with teams of forest commandos, 39 vehicles, eight helicopters and nine aircraft were working to control the flames in Keratea, south of Athens.

Ertnews channel reported that at least four houses were completely destroyed.&nbsp;

"The situation is very difficult, as strong winds continue to blow, they have not subsided and the outbreaks are many," the mayor of Lavreotiki, Dimitris Loukas, told Athens News Agency.&nbsp;

"We are fighting a great battle."

He warned that "the wind is very strong and is constantly creating outbreaks".

However he said that the nearby military air base was not currently in danger from the flames.

It came a day after another wildfire had erupted in the same area, sparking evacuation orders but was later successfully controlled.&nbsp;

North of Athens, another blaze ignited in the suburb of Stamata and authorities&nbsp;sent emergency messages for inhabitants to evacuate.

Fire brigade spokesman Vasileios Vathrakogiannis said it was "the most difficult day of the year so far for the Fire Brigade."

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<h2>Island fires</h2>

A fire also broke out Sunday in an industrial zone in Ritsona, near the island of Evia.&nbsp;

Black smoke has filled the sky above Ritsona after the fire started in a recycling factory, burning various flammable materials that were in the grounds around it, including tyres and mattresses.&nbsp;

Firefighters are positioned along the old Ritsona national road and are fighting to prevent the flames from spreading beyond the recycling plant to other factories in the area.

The fire is also near a refugee centre, but the Athens News Agency reported that this was not believed to be in danger.

Separately, a large wildfire broke out on Serifos island on Saturday afternoon, but was also brought under control by firefighters early Sunday.

"All of southwestern Serifos has burned. We are talking about an area where the fire stopped at the sea," Serifos mayor Konstantinos Revintis told MEGA TV.&nbsp;

The fire caused damage to houses, cottages, warehouses and chapels, according to the mayor.

The Fire Danger Forecast Map issued for Sunday by the Civil Protection Ministry predicted a very high category 4 risk of fire for Attica, the Peloponnese, Crete, the North and South Aegean Regions, and central Greece.&nbsp;

A wildfire ignited Saturday afternoon in the area of Mount Parnitha-- known as "the lungs of Athens" -- was controlled Saturday evening with the help of reinforcements from other regions as well as volunteer firefighters.

More than forty wildfires erupted across Saturday in Greece with wind speeds exceeding 100 kilometres (62 miles) per hour, according to fire brigade sources.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called on Greeks to brace for a difficult wildfire season in his weekly Facebook post on Sunday.

"The difficult times are still ahead of us. Our effort is continuous. In this effort, our allies are new tools that build a new culture of prevention and responsibility," he said.

Firefighters were battling a series of wildfires near the Greek capital Athens on Sunday afternoon, as the country braces for another scorching summer. Greece faces a tough wildfire season after its warmest winter and earliest heatwave on record, with temperatures hitting 44°C (111 °F).

Firefighters were battling a series of wildfires near the Greek capital Athens on Sunday afternoon, as the country braces for another scorching summer. Greece faces a tough wildfire season after its warmest winter and earliest heatwave on record, with temperatures hitting 44°C (111 °F). Two large wildfires were raging in Attica Sunday afternoon, with residents told to evacuate from eight areas near the capital. Also read | Hungary's PM Viktor Orban unveils new far-right bloc in European Parliament Some 140 firefighters, with teams of forest commandos, 39 vehicles, eight helicopters and nine aircraft were working to control the flames in Keratea, south of Athens. Ertnews channel reported that at least four houses were completely destroyed. "The situation is very difficult, as strong winds continue to blow, they have not subsided and the outbreaks are many," the mayor of Lavreotiki, Dimitris Loukas, told Athens News Agency. "We are fighting a great battle." He warned that "the wind is very strong and is constantly creating outbreaks". However he said that the nearby military air base was not currently in danger from the flames. It came a day after another wildfire had erupted in the same area, sparking evacuation orders but was later successfully controlled. North of Athens, another blaze ignited in the suburb of Stamata and authorities sent emergency messages for inhabitants to evacuate. Fire brigade spokesman Vasileios Vathrakogiannis said it was "the most difficult day of the year so far for the Fire Brigade." Also read | Hurricane Beryl, rare for this time of the year, has already set a few records Island fires A fire also broke out Sunday in an industrial zone in Ritsona, near the island of Evia. Black smoke has filled the sky above Ritsona after the fire started in a recycling factory, burning various flammable materials that were in the grounds around it, including tyres and mattresses. Firefighters are positioned along the old Ritsona national road and are fighting to prevent the flames from spreading beyond the recycling plant to other factories in the area. The fire is also near a refugee centre, but the Athens News Agency reported that this was not believed to be in danger. Separately, a large wildfire broke out on Serifos island on Saturday afternoon, but was also brought under control by firefighters early Sunday. "All of southwestern Serifos has burned. We are talking about an area where the fire stopped at the sea," Serifos mayor Konstantinos Revintis told MEGA TV. The fire caused damage to houses, cottages, warehouses and chapels, according to the mayor. The Fire Danger Forecast Map issued for Sunday by the Civil Protection Ministry predicted a very high category 4 risk of fire for Attica, the Peloponnese, Crete, the North and South Aegean Regions, and central Greece. A wildfire ignited Saturday afternoon in the area of Mount Parnitha-- known as "the lungs of Athens" -- was controlled Saturday evening with the help of reinforcements from other regions as well as volunteer firefighters. More than forty wildfires erupted across Saturday in Greece with wind speeds exceeding 100 kilometres (62 miles) per hour, according to fire brigade sources. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called on Greeks to brace for a difficult wildfire season in his weekly Facebook post on Sunday. "The difficult times are still ahead of us. Our effort is continuous. In this effort, our allies are new tools that build a new culture of prevention and responsibility," he said.

Greece fights dozens of wildfires in 'most difficult day of year'

According to media reports, Greek authorities indicted 13 members of a luxury yacht's crew on Sunday (June 23) for allegedly setting off fireworks that resulted in a significant blaze on an island close to Athens.

The crew will go on trial on Wednesday on charges of starting a criminal fire, according to the ERT public television.

The crew may face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to 200,000 euros ($214,000) under a recently strengthened law, which has brought attention to the case due to a recent spike in wildfires.

The crew disputed the claims, and prosecutors will not arrest the 17 Kazakh passengers who were on the boat when the fireworks went off on Friday night, according to ERT.

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According to the Civil Protection Service, some of the fireworks fell on the island of Hydra and caused a fire that destroyed roughly 30 hectares (75 acres) of pine forest.

At the hearing on Sunday, the captain of a neighbouring ship who witnessed the fireworks being set off was reportedly questioned.

At the beginning of the summer season, scores of wildfires have left at least one dead and severely damaged resorts and the Greek countryside.

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Extreme caution has been advised by the public protection agency due to the "very high" potential of fires, especially in the Attica area, the Peloponnese peninsula, and central Greece.

Greece's islands and mainland have seen a plethora of fires, some of which are thought to have been started intentionally.

The disastrous fires of 2023, which forced thousands of people to flee Rhodes, have put the nation on high alert for this summer. The hot and dry weather will be made worse by gusts of up to 46 miles per hour, according to the National Meteorological Service of Greece.

(With inputs from agencies)

According to media reports, Greek authorities indicted 13 members of a luxury yacht's crew on Sunday (June 23) for allegedly setting off fireworks that resulted in a significant blaze on an island close to Athens.

According to media reports, Greek authorities indicted 13 members of a luxury yacht's crew on Sunday (June 23) for allegedly setting off fireworks that resulted in a significant blaze on an island close to Athens. The crew will go on trial on Wednesday on charges of starting a criminal fire, according to the ERT public television. The crew may face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to 200,000 euros ($214,000) under a recently strengthened law, which has brought attention to the case due to a recent spike in wildfires. The crew disputed the claims, and prosecutors will not arrest the 17 Kazakh passengers who were on the boat when the fireworks went off on Friday night, according to ERT. Also read: Greece's summer tragedy: Record heat wave ignites wildfires, closes Acropolis, and claims tourists' lives According to the Civil Protection Service, some of the fireworks fell on the island of Hydra and caused a fire that destroyed roughly 30 hectares (75 acres) of pine forest. At the hearing on Sunday, the captain of a neighbouring ship who witnessed the fireworks being set off was reportedly questioned. At the beginning of the summer season, scores of wildfires have left at least one dead and severely damaged resorts and the Greek countryside. Watch | Greece closes ancient tourist sites amid heatwave, strong winds expected to hit × Extreme caution has been advised by the public protection agency due to the "very high" potential of fires, especially in the Attica area, the Peloponnese peninsula, and central Greece. Greece's islands and mainland have seen a plethora of fires, some of which are thought to have been started intentionally. The disastrous fires of 2023, which forced thousands of people to flee Rhodes, have put the nation on high alert for this summer. The hot and dry weather will be made worse by gusts of up to 46 miles per hour, according to the National Meteorological Service of Greece. (With inputs from agencies)

Greece: Luxury yacht crew faces trial for causing wildfire near Athens with illegal fireworks

Hundreds of firefighters from Greece and across Europe were struggling to contain three major wildfires in the Greek regions of Evros and Alexandroupolis.&nbsp;

The massive wildfires have so far caused at least 21 deaths, the Associated Press reported.

The wildfires have been burning for the tenth straight day.

<h2>Greece wildfires: How bad are they?</h2>

A number of small, big and major blazes have formed one of the largest single wildfires in Europe in recorded history.

It has decimated vast tracts of forest and burned homes in outlying areas of the city of Alexandroupolis.

<h2>Greece wildfires closing in on Athens</h2>

Reports said that on the northwestern fringes of Athens, another major wildfire has been blazing for days, scorching homes and flames taking over the national park on Mount Parnitha, one of the last green areas near Athens.

The fire department said 260 firefighters, one plane and three helicopters were trying to tame the flames, the Associated Press reported.

A third major wildfire that started on Saturday on the Cycladic island of Andros and was still burning out of control on Sunday, is said to have been sparked by lightning strikes.

<h2>Why are there wildfires in Greece, and so many of them?</h2>

A combination of gale-force winds and hot, dry summer conditions have&nbsp;whipped up flames across Greece.

According to the Associated Press, over the weekend, firefighters tackled 122 blazes, including 75 that broke out in the 24 hours between Friday evening and Saturday evening, the fire department said.

<h2>Europe comes together to aid Greece's firefighting efforts</h2>

Greece has called for help from other European countries. Germany, Sweden, Croatia and Cyprus have sent aircraft, while dozens of Romanian, French, Czech, Bulgarian, Albanian, Slovak and Serb firefighters are helping on the ground.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Hundreds of firefighters from Greece and across Europe were struggling to contain three major wildfires in the Greek regions of Evros and Alexandroupolis. The massive wildfires have so far caused at least 21 deaths, the Associated Press reported.

Hundreds of firefighters from Greece and across Europe were struggling to contain three major wildfires in the Greek regions of Evros and Alexandroupolis. The massive wildfires have so far caused at least 21 deaths, the Associated Press reported. The wildfires have been burning for the tenth straight day. Greece wildfires: How bad are they? A number of small, big and major blazes have formed one of the largest single wildfires in Europe in recorded history. It has decimated vast tracts of forest and burned homes in outlying areas of the city of Alexandroupolis. Greece wildfires closing in on Athens Reports said that on the northwestern fringes of Athens, another major wildfire has been blazing for days, scorching homes and flames taking over the national park on Mount Parnitha, one of the last green areas near Athens. The fire department said 260 firefighters, one plane and three helicopters were trying to tame the flames, the Associated Press reported. A third major wildfire that started on Saturday on the Cycladic island of Andros and was still burning out of control on Sunday, is said to have been sparked by lightning strikes. Why are there wildfires in Greece, and so many of them? A combination of gale-force winds and hot, dry summer conditions have whipped up flames across Greece. According to the Associated Press, over the weekend, firefighters tackled 122 blazes, including 75 that broke out in the 24 hours between Friday evening and Saturday evening, the fire department said. Europe comes together to aid Greece's firefighting efforts Greece has called for help from other European countries. Germany, Sweden, Croatia and Cyprus have sent aircraft, while dozens of Romanian, French, Czech, Bulgarian, Albanian, Slovak and Serb firefighters are helping on the ground. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Greece wildfires closing in on Athens, EU pitches in with help to tame the blazes