This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8216622.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 11 Version 12
Athens locals flee as fires rage Athens locals flee as fires rage
(about 4 hours later)
Several thousand residents of Athens' northern suburbs have evacuated their homes as several wildfires continue to blaze around the Greek capital.Several thousand residents of Athens' northern suburbs have evacuated their homes as several wildfires continue to blaze around the Greek capital.
Almost the entire population of Agios Stefanos, 23km (14 miles) north-east of Athens, fled by vehicle or on foot.Almost the entire population of Agios Stefanos, 23km (14 miles) north-east of Athens, fled by vehicle or on foot.
Multiple fires have been burning across an area some 50km wide, fanned by strong and unpredictable winds.Multiple fires have been burning across an area some 50km wide, fanned by strong and unpredictable winds.
The fires - the worst since those in 2007 which killed about 70 people - are being called an environmental disaster.The fires - the worst since those in 2007 which killed about 70 people - are being called an environmental disaster.
Firefighting efforts were suspended as darkness fell on Sunday, with several major blazes still burning into the night, although no casualties have been reported.Firefighting efforts were suspended as darkness fell on Sunday, with several major blazes still burning into the night, although no casualties have been reported.
See map of affected regionSee map of affected region
Although the fires had reportedly retreated from the capital's suburbs and were burning mainly forest land, unpredictable winds meant populated areas were still at risk.Although the fires had reportedly retreated from the capital's suburbs and were burning mainly forest land, unpredictable winds meant populated areas were still at risk.
"The constant shift in the wind's direction is rekindling the flames," fire brigade spokesman Giannis Kapakis told Reuters news agency. "We must all remain calm through this night.""The constant shift in the wind's direction is rekindling the flames," fire brigade spokesman Giannis Kapakis told Reuters news agency. "We must all remain calm through this night."
Dozens of homes were burnt down and a state of emergency was declared in the Athens area.Dozens of homes were burnt down and a state of emergency was declared in the Athens area.
Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis said the country was facing "a great ordeal" but praised the emergency services for making "a superhuman effort".Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis said the country was facing "a great ordeal" but praised the emergency services for making "a superhuman effort".
Italy, France and Cyprus have sent aircraft to help the hard-pressed Greek fire crews.Italy, France and Cyprus have sent aircraft to help the hard-pressed Greek fire crews.
'Too late''Too late'
Police with loudspeakers went through Agios Stefanos earlier on Sunday telling residents to head immediately to Athens.Police with loudspeakers went through Agios Stefanos earlier on Sunday telling residents to head immediately to Athens.
AT THE SCENE Malcolm Brabant, BBC News, Drafi, AthensAT THE SCENE Malcolm Brabant, BBC News, Drafi, Athens
In leafy suburbs like Drafi, barely a tree has been left standing. A once beautiful green valley has been turned into a giant ash bowl. But almost all the expensive houses somehow survived.In leafy suburbs like Drafi, barely a tree has been left standing. A once beautiful green valley has been turned into a giant ash bowl. But almost all the expensive houses somehow survived.
We had to leave our modest home just before dawn as fire raced up the hill, but the flames stopped at the back garden wall. Many residents have similar narrow escapes to recount.We had to leave our modest home just before dawn as fire raced up the hill, but the flames stopped at the back garden wall. Many residents have similar narrow escapes to recount.
But the biggest casualty has been the environment. The loss of so much foliage is going to have an enormous negative impact on air quality in Athens. The wooded hillsides on the outskirts of the capital acted as its lungs and air conditioning units, providing much needed oxygen and cooler air. Brabant flees home as fires rageBut the biggest casualty has been the environment. The loss of so much foliage is going to have an enormous negative impact on air quality in Athens. The wooded hillsides on the outskirts of the capital acted as its lungs and air conditioning units, providing much needed oxygen and cooler air. Brabant flees home as fires rage
"We had been begging the authorities since early in the morning to send forces," said Panayiotis Bitakos, the area's deputy mayor. "It is too late now. Too late.""We had been begging the authorities since early in the morning to send forces," said Panayiotis Bitakos, the area's deputy mayor. "It is too late now. Too late."
The fires are reported to have begun late on Friday near the site of a planned waste disposal facility in Grammatiko, near the ancient town of Marathon.The fires are reported to have begun late on Friday near the site of a planned waste disposal facility in Grammatiko, near the ancient town of Marathon.
They spread rapidly across the hills outside Athens, burning through forests, olive groves and encroaching on suburbs.They spread rapidly across the hills outside Athens, burning through forests, olive groves and encroaching on suburbs.
The fires grew larger over Saturday and spread to Varnavas. By Sunday morning, houses were burning in the Athens suburbs of Drafi, Pikermi and Pallini.The fires grew larger over Saturday and spread to Varnavas. By Sunday morning, houses were burning in the Athens suburbs of Drafi, Pikermi and Pallini.
Overnight, fires also crested the top of Pendeli, a hilly, northern suburb with a panoramic view of Athens, setting houses alight.Overnight, fires also crested the top of Pendeli, a hilly, northern suburb with a panoramic view of Athens, setting houses alight.
Much of Pendeli mountain was laid waste in 2007, says the BBC's Malcolm Brabant in Athens.Much of Pendeli mountain was laid waste in 2007, says the BBC's Malcolm Brabant in Athens.
Three of the four mountains surrounding the capital have already been stripped of their trees by previous fires and further erosion of the forest cover would be devastating, our correspondent adds.Three of the four mountains surrounding the capital have already been stripped of their trees by previous fires and further erosion of the forest cover would be devastating, our correspondent adds.
'Great ordeal''Great ordeal'
Hundreds of firefighters and soldiers - backed by helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft dropping water - battled the fires but they were too numerous and widespread to contain, our correspondent says.Hundreds of firefighters and soldiers - backed by helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft dropping water - battled the fires but they were too numerous and widespread to contain, our correspondent says.
In pictures: Greek wild fires href="/2/hi/europe/8217423.stm">Fighting the flames class="" href="/2/hi/in_pictures/8215939.stm">In pictures: Greek wild fires
A regional Athens governor, Yiannis Sgouros, told Greek television that more than 30,000 acres of land had been burnt, in what he described as "an ecological disaster".A regional Athens governor, Yiannis Sgouros, told Greek television that more than 30,000 acres of land had been burnt, in what he described as "an ecological disaster".
While many residents of the threatened areas followed instructions to evacuate, others stayed behind to try to defend their homes.While many residents of the threatened areas followed instructions to evacuate, others stayed behind to try to defend their homes.
Two children's hospitals, a summer camp and a psychiatric clinic have been evacuated.Two children's hospitals, a summer camp and a psychiatric clinic have been evacuated.
The fires have left a thick haze of smoke hanging over much of Athens.The fires have left a thick haze of smoke hanging over much of Athens.
Other fires are burning in the central Greek region of Viotia, on the Ionian island of Zakynthos, which has already been hit by fires this summer, and on the Aegean islands of Skyros and Evia.Other fires are burning in the central Greek region of Viotia, on the Ionian island of Zakynthos, which has already been hit by fires this summer, and on the Aegean islands of Skyros and Evia.
In July, dozens of fires burnt through thousands of hectares of land in Greece, Spain, France and Italy.In July, dozens of fires burnt through thousands of hectares of land in Greece, Spain, France and Italy.
According to the conservation group Greenpeace, heat waves and drier conditions are leading to larger and more uncontrollable forest fires across the whole Mediterranean region.According to the conservation group Greenpeace, heat waves and drier conditions are leading to larger and more uncontrollable forest fires across the whole Mediterranean region.
Click here to returnClick here to return
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the fires? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the fires? Send us your comments using the form below.
You can also send us your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.You can also send us your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions