"Fires are burning in more than half the country," said fire department spokesman Nikos Diamandis. "This is definitely an unprecedented disaster for Greece."
The front of one fire yesterday reached Ancient Olympia in southern Greece, burning trees and shrubs just a few yards from the museum at the site. Although the pristine forest around the site was burned, none of the ruins were damaged.
Ruins of the temples of Zeus, king of the ancient Greek gods, and his wife, Hera, stand on what was a sacred riverside site surrounded by pine-clad hills. The ruins are near the stadium that hosted the ancient Olympic Games for more than 1,000 years after they started in 776 B.C.
The site, strewn with fallen columns, includes the remains of a gymnasium, a wrestling hall, hostels, bathhouses, priests' residences, and altars. The fifth- century BC limestone temple of Zeus is one of the largest in mainland Greece.
Helicopters and aircraft covered the ruins with water and foam. The flames reached the edge of the ancient stadium, searing the grass and incinerating the trees on the hill above. Volunteers grabbed buckets of water and joined firefighters.
"We don't know exactly how much damage there is in the Olympia area, but the important thing is that the museum is as it was and the archeological site will not have any problem," said Culture Minister George Voulgarakis.
Firefighters remained in the area after dark to ensure the fire did not reignite.
Nearly 4,000 soldiers, backed by military helicopters, were sent to reinforce firefighters over the past three days, and at least 12 countries were sending aid.
By sea and by land, authorities helped hundreds of people flee villages, hotels, and resorts. The wildfires started Friday and more than 60 new fires broke out yesterday, although 40 of them were brought under control by nightfall.
Government and firefighting officials have suggested that arson caused many of the blazes, and several people had been arrested. The government offered a reward of up to $1.36 million for anyone providing information that would lead to the arrest of an arsonist.
