About 2,800 hectares of forestland turned to ash in Evia

The wildfire that raged across central parts of the island of Evia from Tuesday and overnight until yesterday morning destroyed some 2,800 hectares of forestland in what authorities have described as an "ecological disaster." 

The blaze broke out on Tuesday morning in the region of Agrilitsa, led to the evacuation of four villages - Stavros, Platania, Kontodespoti and Makrymalli - as a precaution, and also prompted an appeal from Greece for assistance from European partners Croatia and Italy.
No serious damage, apart from the destruction of four cars, were reported in the villages, even though the flames had reached the yards of homes.

By Wednesday morning the situation had improved enough to allow for the return of some 500 residents.

Firefighters remained focused on two points yesterday: a ravine 2 kilometers outside Stavros and a fir forest near...