A wildfire on the Greek island of Kefalonia forced evacuations on Sunday, with flames burning dangerously close to homes as aircraft carried out water drops over the Ionian island.

In western Attica, near Athens, fire spread toward communities and an industrial district outside Megara, while violent gusts kept firefighting aircraft from collecting water at sea.

Nearly 500 firefighters and 23 aircraft were deployed, but gale-force winds drove flames through dry forest, crippling the response.

Authorities ordered evacuations in Kandili, Agia Skepi and Toutouli as smoke rose over the mountains, with crews especially concerned about the coastal town of Porto Germeno.