Heavy clouds of smoke were rising into the sky billowing over Mount Penteli where the fire broke out at 1430 GMT, some 27 km north of central Athens.
By nightfall, the flames were visible from the island of Evia, about 50 km away, according to witnesses. More than 24 helicopters and planes earlier dumped water on the flames but had to halt operations at night for safety reasons.They also advised residents in more areas to prepare to evacuate.Traffic was halted on roads leading to Penteli and police were helping residents find their way out of the fire-stricken areas.
“Today is a difficult day. We are at the peak of the fire season and the current conditions make it easier for fires to break out and spread,” said Fire Department spokesperson Yiannis Artopios in a statement.