ATHENS: Greek ‌authorities ordered the evacuation of two settlements on ​Evia Island on Saturday and deployed dozens of firefighters, planes and helicopters to battle a major wildfire there.

In a statement, ‌the country's ‌firefighting department ​said 88 ‌firefighters ⁠and ​volunteers were ⁠working to extinguish the blaze.

Eight firefighting aircraft and six helicopters have also been deployed to help ⁠the effort.

Authorities said ‌they ‌have asked residents ​of ‌two endangered communities to evacuate.

Strong ‌northerly winds were causing new fires, the firefighting department said.