Greece wildfires: Firefighters get upper hand on 2 blazes

By ELENA BECATOROS
Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Firefighting aircraft and ground forces in Greece have gained the upper hand over two new blazes that broke out in areas already scarred by major wildfires this summer. The first broke out Monday in the southern part of Evia, Greece’s second-largest island, whose north was devastated earlier this month by a blaze that burned for more than 10 days. The second erupted in the Vilia area northwest of Athens, the Greek capital. The fire service said late Monday the Kaza blaze was on the wane and the fire on Evia was contained. This month, which began with Greece’s most severe heat wave in about three decades, is quickly turning into one of the country’s most destructive fire seasons.