Firefighters brought a major wildfire on the outskirts of Athens under control Saturday, but evacuations continued as forecasters warned of strong winds through the weekend.

The National Observatory of Athens has issued a warning for heightened fire risks in Attica, which includes Athens and the nearby port city of Piraeus, throughout August and September.

Authorities declared a state of emergency on Friday in areas of the Ierapetra municipality after a destructive wildfire swept through eastern Crete, Greece.

Hundreds of people have been evacuated as a large wildfire continues to burn uncontrollably on the Greek island of Crete.

Urgent evacuation orders have been issued for five communities south of Athens as a massive wildfire, fueled by strong winds and intensified by Greece's first summer heatwave, continues to burn near the capital. The blaze began on Thursday in the seaside area of Palaia Fokaia, where temperatures have surged to nearly 40°C (104°F).

According to new data, wildfires in Greece over the past seven years have ravaged more than one-third of the forested area in the Attica region, which encompasses the capital city of Athens and the nearby port city of Piraeus, News.Az reports citing Anadolu agency.

On Tuesday, Greece's National Observatory reported that wildfires, which have been burning for two days, have destroyed at least 10,000 hectares (24,700 acres) of land. At least one person has died, dozens have been treated for injuries, and tens of thousands are fleeing their homes north of Athens, News.Az reports citing Deutsche Welle.

A massive wildfire reached Athens’ northeastern suburbs on Monday, prompting thousands of residents to evacuate as hundreds of firefighters struggled to control the blaze. The Greek government has appealed for international assistance, News.Az reports citing France24.

On Monday, Türkiye extended an offer to assist Greece in combating a massive wildfire near Athens, News.Az reports citing Anadolu agency .

Greek authorities on Sunday ordered the evacuation of more than 30,000 residents of Marathon town, northeastern Attica region, due to a fast-moving wildfire outside Athens fuelled by hot and windy weather, News.az reports citing Xinhua .