In pictures: Greek wildfires

In the most serious outbreak of forest fires on the Greek mainland since the summer of 2007, fire fighters using helicopters and fire trucks are struggling to contain the flames along a wide front about 50 km north of Athens.

A woman grabs her head in despair outside Marathon, northeast of Athens

Several homes have been consumed by flames which are threatening monasteries and a military base. Many people are ignoring the fire brigade's request for them to leave their homes.

A fireman sprays water across a road to a mountainside fire near Marathoon

Powerful winds that keep changing direction are adding to the danger as fire fighters battle the flames, at times joined by priests wielding hoses.

A firefighting helcopter flies above a fire that broke out at the village of Kaletzi, north of Athens

Fire fighters say their task has been made more complicated as blazes are concentrated in areas where homes and forested land are mixed together.

The Sun appears to smoulder in a blood red sky due to the smoke of the flames

It will likely get hotter in Athens as these fires erode woodland - every tree is equivalent to one air conditioning unit. The conservation group Greenpeace says climate change will lead to bigger fires more often.