Greek firefighters have contained a wildfire that broke out overnight on Mount Parnitha, the heavily forested national park on the northern fringe of Athens, authorities said early Monday.
The blaze, which started in an area of low vegetation near the Bafi mountain refuge, prompted a major and immediate response from the fire service due to the area's high ecological value and its history of devastating fires.
More than 85 firefighters, supported by five specialized ground crews and 23 fire engines, were dispatched to the scene. The operation was aided by a lack of strong winds in the immediate area, which allowed crews to bring the fire under partial control before it could spread into deeper forest land.
As of Monday morning, firefighters remained on site to fully extinguish the blaze and guard against potential flare-ups.
Mount Parnitha, a vital green space for the Greek capital, has been repeatedly scarred by major wildfires in recent years, making any new outbreak a matter of significant public and official concern.
The incident comes as Greece remains on high alert for fires amid a prolonged period of hot, dry weather.