A wildfire broke out northeast of Athens on Sunday, darkening the sky and sending the smell of smoke and soot across the Greek capital.
More than 400 firefighters, 110 fire engines and scores of volunteers were working to put out the blaze, which broke out about 35 kilometres (22 miles) from Athens at 3pm local time. 15 firefighting aircraft and nine helicopters were working until late afternoon but were called off at sunset.
Fire department spokesman Fire Colonel Vasilios Vathrakogiannis said the flames were rapidly moving toward Lake Marathon, a vital reservoir that supplies water to Athens. An unknown number of homes were damaged.
Vathrakogiannis said winds in the fire area reached hurricane force and flames rose more than 25 metres (80 feet) high. Residents of villages near the fire area were sent emergency messages warning them to evacuate.
In the afternoon, messages were sent to residents of some suburbs in northern Athens to do the same. Police said they evacuated more than 200 people, mostly the elderly and others who ignored the warnings.
Another fire west of Athens had been brought under control, the spokesman said.
Hot and dry weather, made worse by strong winds, increases the risk of forest fires. June and July were the hottest months ever recorded in Greece, which also experienced its hottest winter ever recorded.
Meteorologists and government officials have warned of an increased risk of wildfires due to weather conditions from Sunday to Thursday. Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said half of the country would be under a “red alert”.