Site of ancient Olympic Games threatened as Greece battles wildfire

A car is seen burnt during a wildfire at Nea Kifisia suburb north of Athens, Greece, August 3, 2021. REUTERS/Costas Baltas

ATHENS (Reuters) -Greek authorities ordered villages near the site of the ancient Olympic Games in the western Peloponnese to be evacuated on Wednesday as wildfires raged across the country, destroying swathes of forest and buildings, and sending hundreds fleeing.

Temperatures of more than 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) and strong winds have fanned more than 150 wildfires in different areas of the country in recent days, adding to the conflagrations in Turkey and other areas of the Mediterranean.