Greece is confronting a major wildfire emergency, with five large fires raging across the country. One of the hardest-hit areas lies just 30km (18.6 miles) north of Athens, where residents have been urgently evacuated as flames threaten homes and infrastructure.

The acrid scent of smoke has reached as far as central Athens, as the Greek government appeals to the European Union for aid in tackling the infernos. The crisis is unfolding during a severe heatwave, with temperatures expected to soar to 44°C (111.2°F) by Sunday and remain dangerously high through the weekend.

“We’ve had injured firefighters, people at risk, destroyed homes, and burned forestland,” said Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Giannis Kefalogiannis.

Strong winds and relentless heat are fueling the flames. Greece has formally requested six firefighting aircraft through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

In the Attica region, a fire that began Saturday in Afidnes quickly spread through Drosopigi, Kryoneri, and Agios Stefanos. Though firefighters say the main front is now under control, smaller flare-ups persist. Over 200 firefighters, aided by helicopters and water-dropping planes, are still battling the blaze.

On the island of Evia, another fast-moving fire near Pissona has spiraled “out of control,” heading toward Afrati. Villages such as Pournos and Mistros have lost power after flames damaged electrical infrastructure. At least six firefighters have been hospitalized with burns and smoke-related injuries.

“The destruction is beyond measure,” said Giorgos Psathas, mayor of Dirfyon-Messapion.

Meanwhile, in Kythira, a third fire is consuming large sections of the island. Residents describe scenes of utter devastation. The coastguard, along with private boats, evacuated 139 people from Limnionas beach, ferrying them to safety at Kapsali port.

In Messinia, a fourth wildfire erupted in the Polithea area of Trifylia, growing more intense throughout the day. Emergency alerts have been issued for multiple villages as gusty winds hamper firefighting efforts. More than 80 firefighters, 30 vehicles, and seven aircraft are on the scene.

A fifth major blaze is also burning in the Chania region of Crete, where flames that started in two separate spots have already destroyed at least two homes.

Officials warn that the risk remains extremely high across several regions, including the Ionian Islands, Peloponnese, Central and Western Greece, Attica, Epirus, Western and Eastern Macedonia, Thrace, Thessaly, South Aegean, and Crete.

This comes just weeks after a devastating wildfire on Chios scorched 4,700 hectares (11,600 acres), and another on Crete forced 5,000 tourists to evacuate earlier in July.