Greece asks EU for firefighting planes as blazes hit resorts

Athens [Greece], August 13: Fires broke out on Tuesday in several Greek regions, including popular holiday spots, moving the fire brigade to request EU help as all of its firefighting planes and helicopters were already in use.
"We have requested four firefighting planes from the EU's disaster relief agency," fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis told the broadcaster ERTnews on Tuesday.
The Greek Civil Protection Ministry issued the second-highest fire warning level for approximately one-third of the country. The affected areas include almost the entire Peloponnese peninsula, the north-west coast of the country, the islands of Lesbos and Samos, as well as the Chalkidiki peninsula.
The prolonged drought and, in some cases, strong winds have made the firefighting efforts more difficult.
Smoke was visible on satellite images.
Large fires are burning south-west of the port city of Patras on the Peloponnese peninsula, as well as on the island Kefalonia.
Source: Qatar Tribune