The most serious wildfire was burning in Marathon municipality, northeast of Athens, after erupting the previous evening. Swirling winds of up to 7 on the Beaufort scale on Saturday morning caused the flames to switch direction and head towards a cluster of country residences in the region.

Locals run to escape a forest fire in Grammatiko village, about 48km northeast of Athens, August 22, 2009. [Xinhua]

A massive force comprised of 53 fire engines, 24 municipal water trucks, 19 fire-fighting aircraft and up to 300 fire brigade and volunteer fire-fighters were at the scene battling the blaze, in Marathon area .

Greek government declared a state emergency Saturday for the region of Attica and urged the residents to remain calm and follow the instructions from the fire brigade. Meteorologists warned that continuing winds made it likely more fires would break out over the weekend.

A fireman gestures as a forest fire burns in Varnava village, northeast of Athens, August 22, 2009. [Xinhua]

Greece has the most typical Mediterranean style of weather which is very dry and hot in the summer time. Bush fires occur often during this season. Big fires in August 2007 killed more than 60 people and resulted in serious environmental damages.

(Xinhua News Agency August 23, 2009)