Wildfire Rages on Greek Island of Evia, Villages Evacuated

The sun sets over Athens and its ancient Acropolis (L) as a thick cloud of smoke levitates over the Greek capital, caused by a forest fire, fanned by strong winds on the island of Evia, in Athens, Greece, Aug. 12, 2018. (Reuters/Yannis Behrakis)

ATHENS—Two villages on the Greek island of Evia were evacuated on Sunday as a forest fire raged, fanned by strong winds.

The fire brigade described the evacuation of Kontodespoti and Stavros village in central Evia, about 44 miles from Athens, as a precaution.

A wildfire near the capital in July killed 94 people, the country’s worst such disaster, prompting the prime minister Alexis Tsipras to replace the Civil Protection Minister and the heads of Fire Brigade and Police.

Tsipras announced the demolition of thousands of illegal buildings in response to the deaths of dozens of people who were unable to escape a maze of poorly planned streets.

Related Video: Survivors Mourn Close to 100 Deaths After Wildfires Ravaged Greece’s Popular Resort Village Mati