Using 15 firefighting helicopters and aircraft as well as hundreds of firefighters and volunteers, the Greek fire brigade said on Sunday it was able to extinguish a large fire in a densely wooded area some 20 kilometres north of Athens.
The fire broke out on Saturday. Strong winds drove huge grey-brown clouds of smoke over the Greek capital. In many places there was a stench of burnt wood and ash was falling.
The fire brigade also announced on Sunday that dozens of other fires had broken out in almost all regions of central Greece and on several islands, the worst of which was on the holiday island of Serifos, where six villages had to be temporarily evacuated.
The mayor of Serifos said on Greek radio ERT on Sunday that the fire had been brought under control during the night.
The civil defence department warned again on Sunday that the risk of other fires breaking out remains high after a long period with little rain and several weeks with temperatures of over 35 degrees Celsius.
In addition, strong winds raged over the weekend, with gusts reaching Force 8 according to the meteorological office.
According to reports from ERT, tourist resorts were not located near the fire areas.
