31 August 2009 (from AFP) - Forest fires which devastated southern Greece, killing at least 63 people, were losing their intensity on Friday, the fire service said. "Things are going well," a spokesman said, adding that the fires - which had burned for eight days - were no longer threatening any populated areas. A drop in the winds that had been fanning the flames was helping firefighters who were concentrating their efforts on three areas. In the southern peninsula of Peloponnese, 75 firefighters assisted by three water-bombing planes were operating around Mount Parnon where fires had regained strength on Thursday. Further north in the Peloponnese, four planes were swooping low over burning forests to dump water on fires which had endangered nearby villages on Thursday. The other area of concern was on the island of Evia to the north of Athens, although soldiers and firefighters had the blaze there under control. Despite the improvement in the situation, temperatures were set to climb back towards 40 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The wildfires broke out on August 24 following the third heatwave the country had experienced this summer.

Attica Region devastated by fires.

This image was acquired on the same orbit as the above image, but shows the area in a different band combination to present an alternate view.

This image was acquired on the same orbit as the above image, but shows the area in a different band combination to present an alternate view.

This Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper image, acquired over the Attica Region, shows the area burnt (in brown) to the north east of Athens. The band combination selected allows the discrimination of forests, rivers and urban areas, making it possible to differentiate them.

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