A wildfire raged through a forest on the southern island of Crete Wednesday leaving two people dead and forcing evacuation orders for five villages as high winds blew through much of Greece, fanning on the flames. Other blazes were burning on the eastern island of Lesvos and in the southern Peloponnese
Authorities warned that Thursday also would see a major wildfire risk in the Greater Athens region, the island of Evia, the eastern Peloponnese, the Cyclades and the eastern Aegean Sea islands of Lesvos, Chios, Samos and Ikaria.
The worst fire in the Rethymno region of Crete left two firefighters dead, according to local reports, and triggered evacuation orders for the villages of Aghios Georgios, Aghios Pavlos, Sakhtouria, Melabes and Krya Vryssi.
A total 110 firefighters with 27 fire engines were battling the blaze on the ground, assisted by four water-bombing aircraft, the Fire Service said.
A smaller wildfire was burning through scrub near the village of Moroni in the Iraklio region of Crete, with three aircraft and 48 firefighters trying to contain it.
