Greek firefighters

Greek firefighters battle blazes; save 200 trapped on beach

About 200 people trapped by one fire were plucked off a beach by rescue boats.

In all, firefighters were battling 59 fire fronts, mainly in southern Greece and near the capital.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said Greece had requested help from his country's army and air force, as well as the European emergency response center, to fight the blazes.

VIDEO: Firefighters battle large fire on outskirts of Athens

In Athens, a large brush fire burned across Ymittos hill on the capital's outskirts.

Strong winds were helping the flames devour parts of the verdant hillside popular with day-trippers.

More than 70 firefighters were battling the blaze, along with local volunteers.

Helicopters and Canadair water planes were also dropping water on the fire area.