Weather.Yahoo - AP - 7 August 2013
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek authorities announced a series of emergency measures Tuesday to prevent the outbreak of wildfires during a week of high winds and warm temperatures, after firefighters and soldiers spent the night battling a large blaze north of the country's capital.
Public Order Minister Nikos Dendias said the fire risk was "exceptionally critical" for the rest of the week due to strong winds and dry conditions.
With hot, dry summers and seasonal winds that often reach gale force in July and August, Greece has seen swathes of its forest and agricultural land ravaged by fires over the years. In 2007, massive wildfires that swept through woodland and villages, mainly in southern Greece, killed more than 70 people.
