A handful of wildfires erupted on Saturday morning and early afternoon around Greece, although none – at least at press time – were deemed as out-of-control or sizeable.

One blaze was located in a mixed forest-brushland site in central Evia Island, across from the south-central mainland, in the Dirfys-Messapion Municipality. A large fire-fighting force of 60 fire-fighters operating 18 vehicles and aided by volunteers were battling the flames. Two water-dropping planes were also assisting.

Another wildfire was reported in extreme southwest Greece, with civil defense authorities ordering the evacuation of the Kryoneri area in Messinia prefecture.

Two wildfires from the previous day, one near the city of Kilkis in northern Greece and another in the Gardiki site of extreme northwest Thesprotia prefecture were under control a day later, with large fire brigade contingents at both sites working to prevent rekindling.

Civil defense authorities have designated the ongoing weekend as a high risk for wildfires in roughly half of the mainland and on several islands, as temperatures will reach or exceed 40C, an ominous development when combined with arid soil conditions and gusty winds.