Greece… Villages evacuated after fires erupt east of Athens

A large forest fire has broken out east of the Greek capital Athens on Monday as civil defense forces ordered the evacuation of 3 villages near the small town of Keratea.

Fierce winds are fueling fires that have been sent out to quell, while flames have also reached remote homes, the fire department said.

Thick clouds of smoke can be seen from Athens, some 20 kilometers away.

“With months of drought and strong winds, even the smallest fire around the Mediterranean could quickly become a firewall.”

“Fortunately, the fire is raging in an area near the sea, where fire fighters and helicopters can quickly replenish their tanks with new water, witnesses from the area said.”

Two mayors in the area told Greek media that the fire had started with an action, and Keratea town employees had noticed a man throwing a rag in a trash container and then started a fire.

State radio reported that a smaller fire broke out in a rough area of western Athens.