KOUVARAS, Greece (Reuters) – Villagers were ordered to leave their homes southeast of Athens on Monday as a wildfire fanned by strong winds burned vegetation nearby, authorities said.
The blaze was raging close to buildings in the village of Kouvaras, about 27 km (17 miles) from the Greek capital, and threatening other settlements, the civil protection service said.
Up to 150 firemen, 40 fire engines and 11 aircraft were trying to control the flames amid gale-force winds.
The Greek meteorological service has warned of high danger of fire just as the country is recovering from the first major heatwave of the summer.
(Reporting by Stamos Prousalis and Stelios Misinas; Writing by Angeliki Koutantou; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
