ATHENS: A fire broke out on Friday near the Greek capital, Athens, as the country was put on high alert for wildfires due to increased temperatures and strong winds.

Thousands of tourists and locals were forced to flee hotels and guesthouses in a resort on the popular island of Crete.

Hot, dry weather _ not unusual for this time of year _ has heightened the risk of summer fires and scientists say human-driven climate change is making them more frequent and more intense.

The latest fire broke out in the municipality of Koropi, some 30 kilometres east of Athens, fanned by strong gusts.

It quickly spread through the area, which includes homes surrounded by dense vegetation and extends to the shores of the Aegean Sea, and residents were ordered by text message to evacuate.

Fire service spokesman Vassilis Vathrakoyannis said some 800 people had left their homes, as the flames “quickly grew to dangerous proportions” because of the wind, with several outbreaks.

Roads on the outskirts of Athens were closed to traffic.

Public television channel ERT broadcast images of fire damage to houses, olive groves and undergrowth.

By late afternoon, a fire department official said the situation appeared “improved”, but added “there remain some scattered clusters”.

“Operations are ongoing, mainly to control small outbreaks,” he told reporters.

In all, 120 firefighters were deployed, with 30 engines, eight planes and the same number of helicopters.­

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2025