Photos Capture Fiery Wildfires Threatening Greek Homes

Photos Capture Fiery Wildfires Threatening Greek Homes
An airplane flies over smoke billowing over Athens, on July 17.

An airplane flies over smoke billowing over Athens, on July 17.

Andreas Solaro/AFP/Getty Images

Wildfires aggravated by strong winds and high temperatures put large parts of Greece on high alert on Friday and forced hundreds to evacuate.

Firefighters are facing emergencies near the Greek capital of Athens, in the country's south and on the island of Evia, the Associated Press reports. One man died after inhaling fumes and suffering respiratory problems, Reuters notes.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras urged Greeks to remain calm. He said he had asked the country's military and air forces, as well as other European countries, for support.

Photographs published by wire agencies and social media users on Friday gave a glimpse into the fierceness of the fires and highlight the urgency of the situation.

Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images

People stand in front of a fire near Athens, Greece, on July 17, 2015.

Andreas Solaro/AFP/Getty Images

Smoke billows over Athens, Greece, on July 17, 2015.

Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images

Firefighters try to extinguish a fire near Athens, Greece, on July 17, 2015.

Andreas Solaro/AFP/Getty Images

A firefighter airplane flies over smoke billowing over Athens, Greece, on July 17, 2015.

Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images

Residents flee from a fire near Athens, Greece, on July 17, 2015.

Aris MessinisAFP/Getty Images

People flee from a fire near Athens, Greece, on July 17, 2015.


Accidental #irony - forest fire in Greece on top of a Eurobank building. #greeceonfire #greececrisis

A photo posted by Jan Wellmann (@janwellm) on



🔥🔥🔥

A photo posted by Tasos Lymperopoulos (@tasoslymperopoulos) on


The caption reads: "Fire right now in Hymettus, the place I call home. God help us."

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