A wildfire on the fringes of the Greek capital triggers evacuation alerts
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Scores of Greek firefighters and water-bombing aircraft are trying to contain a large wildfire on the fringes of Athens. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for two nearby settlements. Television footage showed flames coursing through low scrub and olive trees in a sparsely inhabited area near Vari, 18 miles south of central Athens. Strong winds are hampering firefighting efforts. No injuries have been immediately reported. The greater Athens area has been declared at a high risk of fire Wednesday and Thursday. Dozens of wildfires have broken out in Greece in recent days amid scorching summer temperatures, but they were extinguished before causing extensive damage.
