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Perilous
Times
Greek wildfire rages unabated near Athens
ATHENS (Reuters) - A wildfire near Athens raged unabated on
Sunday, burning rural land and sending some residents fleeing
their homes, but firefighters said they expected to bring it under
control within hours.
More than 140 firefighters with dozens of engines battled the
flames, aided by seven aircraft and four helicopters.
Politicians from the country's main parties visited the region
just hours before a national election that may determine Greece's
future in the euro zone.
The fire broke out on Saturday from sparks at a site where workers
had been welding, and, fanned by strong winds, it quickly spread
to engulf the settlements of Palaia Fokaia, Keratea and Legraina
near the southern coast of Athens.
"It destroyed at least 10 small warehouses and two deserted homes.
It is still burning but winds have calmed down," a fire brigade
official said. "It should be contained by the afternoon."
Police said the blaze, the first of Greece's wildfire season, was
not threatening homes, though some residents in the area were
evacuated as a precaution.
Four firefighters were taken to hospital with breathing problems,
the fire brigade said.
Wildfires are frequent in Greece during the summer, often due to
soaring temperatures and strong winds, drought or arson.
Hot and dry summers mean forests are more frequently brought to
the tinder-box conditions that allow fires to spread
devastatingly. (Reporting by George Georgiopoulos and Renee
Maltezou; Editing by Alessandra Rizzo)