A wildfire swept through the outskirts of Athens, burning one of the city's last forests. Firefighters and soldiers, aided by tanker planes and helicopters, battled the wind-driven fire on Mount Hymettus, bringing it under control in about eight hours.

Plumes of smoke cloaked Athens, the capital, and the fire damaged a major power line, leaving some areas without electricity. No homes were threatened. Last week, Greece's civil protection agency warned of a high fire risk in Athens because of strong winds and rising temperatures.

At least 65 people were killed last year during fires in the southern Peloponnese.