ATHENS: Greek firefighters continued to battle rapidly advancing wildfires on Monday, with flames now threatening the Penteli area after spreading across the Penteli mountain range, fire department spokesperson Vasilis Vathrakogiannis said in an early morning emergency briefing.

Evacuation orders were issued for several towns, including the historic Marathon region, as thick smoke enveloped parts of Athens, Athens-Macedonian News Agency reported.

Residents of Nea Penteli, Palia Penteli, Drafi, Dioni, Damarasi, Daou Pentelis, and Agios Spyridonas received alerts to evacuate, while those in Anthousa were advised to prepare for a possible evacuation.

Authorities also evacuated the Penteli Children’s Hospital and the 414 Military Hospital as a precaution, Vathrakogiannis added.

The firefighting effort includes 510 firefighters, 16 teams of forest commandos, and 152 vehicles, supported by a large number of volunteers. At first light, 29 firefighting aircraft and helicopters are set to join the operation.

On S
unday, authorities ordered thousands of people to evacuate as the country faced wildfires.

Greece is expecting more extreme weather next week.

Source : Emirates News Agency