The sea is visible through the remains of a house destroyed by a wildfire in Porto Germeno, northwest of Athens, Tuesday. [AP]
Firefighters raced to exploit a break in high winds to strengthen containment lines on fires west of the Greek capital Tuesday ahead of stronger gusts and hotter temperatures in the coming days.
Several fires that burned through mountain communities and coastal areas west of Athens were brought under control overnight. Planes and helicopters dumped water inside the contained perimeters through the morning, dousing hot spots while the winds stayed calm.
“There is a huge fire load in the area and the risk goes up as the day progresses,” said Costas Tsingas, head of the Greek Firefighters Association. “The goal is for the day to end better than it started.”
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