Athens: Greek firefighters struggled on Thursday to control two big fires that went berserk near Olympia and on the island of Evia as a rural countryside who broke the record.
More than 170 firefighters, around 50 trucks, six helicopters and water bomb planes were deployed near the ancient archaeological site, the birthplace of the Olympics, on the Peloponnese Peninsula.
After destroying around 20 houses, “the Fire Fire is now heading for Lalas,” the wooded mountainous area northwest Olympia, a local official Nectarios Pharmacism told ANA news agency.
Olympia, usually camping with tourists at this time of year, as well as six nearby villages, evacuated the day before.
A large number of firefighters also struggled to hold fire at Evia, about 200 kilometers (120 miles) East Athens.
At least 150 houses were destroyed on the island when the fire surrounded a monastery and a dozen villages.
Two more villages were evacuated early on Thursday, Ana reported.
The Mayor of the City of Mantoudi, Giannis TsapoBeBiotis, said the fire was engaged in four fronts, with one very difficult to control near the Saint David monastery, which was evacuated on Wednesday.
On Thursday, strong winds made it difficult for firefighters to reach the Blazes, with bad visibility because of thick smoke, Ana said.
The Fire Brigade said Thursday that it had to deal with 92 forest fires for the last 24 hours, above 118 from the previous day.
“We are fighting Titans,” Deputy Minister of Civil Protection Nikos Hardalias told reporters.
“The most difficult thing is still coming.” Turkish neighbors also suffered the worst fire in at least a decade, claiming the life of eight people and forced hundreds to be evacuated in the southern regions popular with tourists.
Experts have warned that global warming increases the frequency and intensity of the fire.