Wildfires Rage Across Greece

ATHENS, Greece, Aug. 24, 2009 — -- Greek fire crews worked through the night to beat back wildfires that ringed the country's capital of Athens, with some of the fires just a few miles from the heart of the city.

Stronger winds are expected later today, which could strengthen the conflagration.

As winds receded briefly, 17 water-dropping planes and helicopters resumed operations today, swooping over flames near populated areas.

Typical of the ongoing battle with the rampaging fires was a scene witnessed by ABC News this morning in Pikermi on the outskirts of Athens where flames consumed half of an olive orchard within minutes, but the exhausted firefighters were able to claim some semblance of victory.

Thick plumes of white smoke rose over the Pendeli hills as the ABC News crew turned off the highway and drove through evacuated villas separated by orchards and pine trees. A small group of people stood on a hillside watching fire take hold in the valley below. Above, a dozen Italian firefighting planes started their slow-circling descent toward the flames.

One after the other they flew low into the smoke to release their water before slowly climbing back into the clear blue sky, heading off toward the coast to refill.

The twisting country lanes leading to the floor of the valley were deserted except for Greek firefighters struggling with a locked gate that prevented firetrucks from getting to the burning orchard.

Eventually a local man driving a jeep rammed the fence until it collapsed. Firefighters quickly hooked up their fire hoses and began to douse the flaming hillside.

Mature pines trees and shrubs, tinder-dry from months of summer sun, were quickly consumed. But the drop in winds allowed the firefighters in the Pikermi olive grove to quickly bring the flames under control.

Nevertheless, in just minutes, half of this ancient olive grove was lost. It will take decades to grow back.

Greek Civilians Fighting Flames With Garden Hoses

The exhausted firefighters began to damp down what was left of the smoking tree stumps, waiting for the next emergency call.

Many have not slept for two days, but now with winds dropping, a new confidence is emerging and finally the battle against the fires is being won.

On Sunday, thousands of residents of the city's northern suburbs were ordered to leave their homes, although some holdouts remained. Dozens of houses have already been destroyed, and more than 30,000 acres of pine that covered hills around the capital have been burned to a cinder.

More than 2,000 fire fighters have been deployed, helped in many places by civilians fighting the flames with garden hoses and branches, with water-soaked towels wrapped around their necks in a desperate attempt to save their homes, their businesses and their lives.

Despite the lull in winds, the fires continue to advance, fanned by scorching temperatures. At least five people were being treated for burns, and several dozen had reported breathing problems. A dozen nuns had to be rescued from a convent threatened by one blaze in the coastal town of Nea Makri.

In daylight, the battle continues from the air. Firefighting planes and helicopters, some from France and Italy, were trying to stop the fires from spreading. But there are almost 90 separate fires, and many local leaders accused the government of being disorganized in its response to the emergency. Some people complain they have been left to fight the flames alone.

Greece's Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis toured the fire zone Sunday.

The blazes erupted Friday, the first fire near the ancient city of Marathonm which is still threatened today, and it's the ever-changing winds that have fueled the disaster. Stronger winds are expected later today, which will likely worsen the situation.

Similar wildfires struck Greece in 2007, killing more than 70 people. So far this year no fatalities have been reported.

Hundreds of forest fires hit the country every summer, and several are said to be the work of arsonists, either land developers or animal farmers trying to increase their grazing land. There is no official word yet on who may be responsible for this weekend's wildfires.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.