Firefighters in Greece are battling wildfires across more than 70 locations as strong winds continue to fan the flames, complicating efforts to contain the blazes.

The fire broke out on Friday near the coastal village of Agios Vasileios and has since spread to the popular resort area of Porto Germeno, located about 70 kilometers (45 miles) northwest of Athens in the Viotia region.

More than 300 firefighters have been deployed to control the wildfire and prevent it from advancing further. A fire department spokesman told AFP that the fire has reached the sea and that homes have certainly been damaged.

“The winds are very strong. Aircraft are trying to operate as best they can, but some are unable to and have been transferred to another fire in the Peloponnese where conditions are milder,” the spokesman added.

Winds up to 130 kilometers per hour were recorded on Saturday by the National Observatory of Athens, making firefighting efforts even more difficult.

The mayor of Thebes, Giorgos Anastasiou, said the environmental damage is huge. The fire has scorched large areas, and the full extent of the destruction is still being assessed.

Wildfires have flared in several parts of Greece this week, including the island of Crete, where about 5,000 hectares have been affected. Three firefighters have lost their lives so far.

The Greek fire brigade is at its maximum level of alert, with particularly high fire risk in the Attica peninsula and Evia island.

Several European countries have been battling savage wildfires this summer amid extreme heatwaves and little rainfall, highlighting the growing threat of climate change.

Source: www.dw.com