A major forest fire near Athens has escalated, leading to evacuations in numerous suburbs and outlying areas as firefighters struggle against strong winds. The blaze, which began on Sunday, has burned homes and created a thick blanket of smoke over central Athens, prompting Greece to request international assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Countries like France, Italy, and the Czech Republic have mobilized resources, including helicopters, firefighting teams, and equipment, to support Greek firefighters. Authorities have described the situation as exceptionally dangerous, with flames reaching heights of over 25 meters and multiple hospitals and facilities being evacuated. The fire is fueled by extreme summer heat, with June and July marking the hottest months ever recorded in Greece. As the situation develops, more than two dozen emergency alerts have been issued to residents in affected areas.