High winds fan more than 50 wildfires in Greece; brush fire endangers turtle habitat
High winds fan more than 50 wildfires in Greece; brush fire endangers turtle habitat
26 July 2009
published by www.google.com
Greece —
More than 50 wildfires broke out Sunday in Greece, fanned by high winds.
The largest was a brush fire that ignited early in the evening on the western island of Zakynthos and is raging unchecked.
The area where the fire is burning is a breeding ground for the endangered loggerhead sea turtle. It also trapped some 70 beach-goers, both Greek and foreign, who were evacuated by boats.
Winds are expected to pick up Monday, reaching up to 74 kilometres per hour (46 mph), leading authorities to warn of a high probability of more fires.
