Wildfires

Wildfires - Greece

Greek firefighters have battled large brush and forest fires on the outskirts of Athens and in the southern Peloponnese region, where flames forced the evacuation of at least three villages and two summer camps.

Strong winds fanned the forest fire in the Lakonia area, on the tip of the Peloponnese, on Friday. Attempts by a coastguard vessel and other boats to rescue scores of people trapped on a beach were hampered by rough seas.

Fires also broke out in Koropi, near Athens; at Malakasa, north of the capital; on the island of Evia; and in Argolida in southern Greece.

Wildfires - California, USA

A fast-moving brush fire in the Los Angeles area has shut down a major freeway and set cars on fire. The flames, swept by desert winds, burned on both sides of Interstate 15, the main connecting road between southern California and Las Vegas. Dozens of vehicles were abandoned as drivers ran to safety.