Residents flee as Greece wildfires rage despite 'superhuman' efforts

ATHENS - Greece ordered the evacuation of hospitals and homes near Athens as wildfires spread despite "superhuman" efforts to combat the flames, the fire brigade said.

At least five more communities were told to flee by civil protection authorities after hundreds of people evacuated Sunday from at least eight villages.

"Civil protection forces battled hard throughout the night, but despite superhuman efforts, the fire evolved rapidly," fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said.

"At this moment it has reached Mount Pentelicus and is headed in the direction of Penteli," he added.

Two hospitals in Penteli -- one for children and a military facility -- were evacuated at dawn according to Vathrakogiannis.

The brigade has deployed 510 firefighters and 152 vehicles, while 29 aircraft were due to set out at first light, he added.

"Forest fire near you. Follow the instructions of the authorities," said SMS messages sent to people in the Attica region, indicating in which direction to flee.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis cut short his holiday and returned to Athens Sunday evening to deal with the crisis.

By Sunday afternoon, firefighters had quickly dealt with 33 out of the 40 blazes that had broken out in the past 24 hours.

But the force was battling seven more in the high Mediterranean summer heat, the fire brigade spokesman said Sunday.

Residents of the historic town of Marathon, 40 kilometres east of Athens, were among those ordered to evacuate Sunday.