To Greece now where an out-of-control forest fire has destroyed isolated farm houses, threatened villages and burned olive groves.

The fire on Monday was about 60 miles west of the capital, Athens. Strong swirling winds and tinderbox conditions hampered efforts by firefighters to put out the flames that swept dangerously close to homes.

One fire-fighting plane, four helicopters, 26 fire engines and about 90 firefighters were dispatched to the scene. Wildfires are frequent in Greece during the summer.

(CCTV August 18, 2009)