Wildfires on the Greek island of Crete are forcing thousands of residents and tourists to evacuate. Three firefighters have died as Greece becomes the latest country, after France and Spain, to face summer blazes.

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…

The flames were being fanned by strong winds in the area, which were hampering firefighting efforts.

Over 150 firefighters and eight aircraft had been dispatched, the fire department said.