Hundreds of firefighters have battled a huge wildfire on Greece‘s second-biggest island that is popular with scores of Britons. 

Authorities ordered the evacuation of two villages – Kontodespoti and Stavros – on the Greek island of Evia as the forest fire raged.

The fire broke out near the village of Petries in the centre of the island at about 3pm on Monday as strong winds quickly helped it spread.

Thirteen aircraft and six helicopters were at the scene. A coastguard vessel was on standby overnight for possible evacuations by sea. A fire service spokesperson said flare-ups remain a risk due to the windy conditions. 

Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said: “It was – and is – a difficult fire as it started in a difficult spot.”

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said: “We still have a very difficult month, August, ahead of us and obviously we all need to be on high alert.”

Earlier in the week, Brits holidaying in Greece were warned to be on high alert for blazes predicted to break out across the country today.

The Greek authorities have issued an urgent warning to those in the areas at high risk,  including holiday hotspot favourites such as Crete and Corfu.

It comes after the holiday island of Zante was gripped by wildfires earlier this month.

A statement released by the Greek Civil Protection website said “a very high risk of fire” is predicted for the following areas:

• Region of Attica (including the island of Kythira)

• Region of Central Greece (PE Boeotia, PE Evia)

• Peloponnese Region (Corinthia Region, Argolis Region, Laconia Region)

• Region of Crete

• North Aegean Region (Lesvos Region, Chios Region, Samos Region, Ikaria Region)

It added: “The General Secretariat of Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr) of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection has informed the competent state agencies involved in the official service, as well as the Regions and Municipalities of the above regions, so that they are on increased civil protection readiness in order to face any fire incidents immediately.

“At the same time, the General Secretariat of Civil Protection recommends that citizens be especially careful and avoid actions in the open air that can cause a fire by negligence, such as burning dry grass and branches or cleaning residues, the use of machines that cause sparks such as circular saws, welding devices, the use of outdoor grills, the smoking of bees, the throwing of lit cigarettes, etc. 

“Also, it is reminded that during the fire protection season burning of fields is prohibited.”

It said that in the event of fire to notify the fire service by calling 199 and to visit civilprotection.gov.gr for more information on how to keep safe.