"ATHENS - Greece's worst wildfire this year spread into the Athens suburbs on Monday, forcing hundreds of people to flee as it torched trees, homes and cars and choked busy roads with smoke and ash.

The government called for help from fellow EU members to tackle the fire that was burning out of control for a second day, fanned by gale force winds that pushed it from the wooded hills north of the city.

Firefighters said flames, threatening apartment blocks, schools and businesses, had reached the deepest into the capital in over two decades. As night fell, the blaze showed no signs of abating.

More than 700 firefighters backed by volunteers, 199 fire engines and 35 waterbombing aircraft have been battling the conflagration that broke out at 3 p.m. on Sunday near the village of Varnavas 35 km (20 miles) north of Athens.

Greece is expecting assistance from France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Serbia and Turkey with aircraft and firefighters."

Stelios Misinas and Angelos Tsatsis report for Reuters August 12, 2024. [2]