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Wildfire threatens villages in central Greece

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-08-18 01:18

ATHENS: A forest fire raged out of control in central Greece on Monday, burning isolated farm houses and olive groves and threatening villages, local authorities said.

Wildfires, mostly triggered by high temperatures, drought or arson, are frequent in Greece during the summer. Greece declared a state of emergency in 2007 during a 10-day blaze that killed 65 people.

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On Monday, locals used hoses and spades to fight off the flames at the village of Prodromos, about 100 km (62 miles) west of the capital Athens.

Children and elderly residents were rushed to the village square as a safety precaution, the local mayor told Greek radio.

"I don't see how the fire can stop if the winds do not abate," mayor Constantine Kovanis said.

One fire-fighting plane, four helicopters, 26 fire engines and about 90 firefighters were dispatched to the scene but a fire brigade spokeswoman said strong winds made it difficult for fire-fighting planes to fly sorties.