Hundreds of Greek and foreign tourists were evacuated from two hotels in northern Greece because of a forest fire, authorities said on Monday. The blaze, fanned by strong winds and soaring temperatures, was coming close to vacation homes and hotels in the Polychronos area of the tourist Halkidiki peninsula.

"We have evacuated two hotels as a precaution," a police official said. "If it spreads further, we will evacuate five more hotels." About 120 firefighters and 50 fire engines were battling the blaze, which had a front line of 9 km (6 miles), although fire-fighting planes could not be used because of the night, the official said. The 300 Greeks and foreigners evacuated so far were placed in other hotels and the nearby northern Greek city of Thessaloniki.

Greece is experiencing what is expected to be its hottest week this year and firefighters are battling several forest fires across the country.
(Planet Ark, 22/08/2006)