Fires in Greece

According to European Commission spokesman, Michael Mann, Italy, France and Spain have each sent two fire fighting aircraft to assist Greece. More planes were due to arrive later Monday and Tuesday from Spain and Turkey.

In addition, the EU mobilized two further planes from its European tactical reserve of fire-fighting aircraft (EUFFTR), said Mann. Established to assist EU member states that face major fires, the EUFFTR makes planes available during the summer in a project costing 3.5 million euros ($5 million).

"They are being financed by the EU and have been leased from July 1 to September 30," Mann said. "The idea is to help member states with their own efforts."

The two EU fire fighting planes are stationed on Corsica, putting them close to both France and Italy and almost exactly halfway between Lisbon and Athens, according to the European Commission.

The planes have already been dispatched five times this summer; most recently to battle the fires in Portugal a few weeks ago.

Residents fight flames alongside firefighters

Working round the clock, firefighters managed to contain all but six major fires burning across Greece. Ongoing fires include those on the islands of Evia, Skyros and on the Ionian island of Zakynthos.

"We are making progress in limiting the fires," said Fire Brigade Chief Yiannis Kappakis.

Blazes were still spreading further to the north of Athens near the coastal towns of Pikermi, Porto Germano and Nea Makri, where rescue crews managed to evacuate a dozen nuns safely from an endangered monastery as fires raced down the hill towards them.

The wildfires, which started in the early hours of Saturday, swept through homes, caused massive evacuations of entire towns and destroyed more than 40,000 acres (16,190 hectares) of forest and olives groves. A state of emergency was in effect for days as reinforcements and military personnel were called in.

Many Athenians who ignored calls to evacuate their neighborhoods could be seen fighting the flames outside their homes with water hoses and branches.

Others, armed with shovels and buckets, worked side by side with firefighters and soldiers throughout the night to battle the fires. At least half a dozen people were being treated for minor burns and breathing problems, the Health Ministry said Monday.

Prime minister criticized over response

Even as Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis toured the fire-affected areas, he faced harsh criticism for the poor handling of the fires. Opposition party leaders and mayors said the response resembled that when fires struck the island of Evia and the Peloponnese in 2007, killing more than 80 people.

Mayors across the are around Athens made frantic calls to Greek television stations asking for firefighters to be sent to their communities, insisting their was no central body in place to respond to their requests.

"There are still huge shortages in the firefighting infrastructure which should have been looked after following the fires two years ago," said Aleka Papariga, leader of the Communist Party of Greece.

Speaking to journalists, government spokesperson Evangelos Antonaros insisted that the firefighting efforts were well coordinated.

"From the first instance, the presence of firefighters and other rescue operations were present to a large degree."

Officials have not officially said what started the fire, but forest fires have become more frequent in Greece in recent summers, due to high temperatures, drought, and also arson, often by land developers.

mrm/dpa/AP/Reuters
Editor: Trinity Hartman