ATHENS, Greece
(AP) _ Gusting winds have dropped off, helping firefighters contain
major blazes that killed seven people and razed dozens of homes
in Greece this week, authorities said Saturday. Fire chief Panagiotis
Fourlas said firefighters had gained the upper hand at the Albanian
border and in southern Arcadia province, the scenes of the worst
destruction. Following an appeal for international assistance,
a 60-member fire crew from Israel joined the effort Saturday.
Greece has had its worst fire season in decades this summer. Hundreds
of fires have broken out around the country, helped by successive
heat waves and strong winds. Up to 370,500 acres of forest have
been blackened. Seven people were killed in northern Greece on
Thursday and Friday, bringing the summer death toll to 12. Fourlas
said he expected hot and windy weather conditions to continue
in September.
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