The Ionian island of Zakynthos endured large forest fires on Sunday and Monday that caused damage to farmhouses and a hotel while forcing the evacuation of two villages.
Hundreds of residents from Keri and Agalas evacuated as a safety precaution, as the fire was quickly spreading — fanned by strong winds blowing nearby.
“We evacuated about 300 residents and tourists from the villages of Keri and Agalas as a precaution,” a fire service spokesman told Reuters. “The fire is near homes.”
The fires burned one house but caused no casualties, the fire brigade said.
Officials largely controlled the fires by Monday, when smaller pockets remained burning in Lithakia, Agalas and Keri, and the grander blaze had already settled.
But the quickly-spreading fires required significant personnel and resources from regional and municipal authorities. They deployed more than 200 firefighters, two helicopters, four water-dropping helicopters, 13 water-tanker trucks and digging machinery to address the issue.
Zakynthos’ wildfire come only days after another episode outside of Athens in Loutraki — a seaside town popular for its natural springs and therapeutic spas.
On Sunday, the Greek fire brigade said it had been called to deal with more more than 70 fires in 24 hours.
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