A fast-moving wildfire on Friday forced a series of evacuations southeast of the capital Athens.

The blaze approached residential areas as firefighters battled strong winds.

The fire advanced over scrub-covered hillsides in the Keratea region, spreading through an area with scattered homes, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Athens.

A full moon rose over the hills south of Athens set ablaze by the wildfire as gale-force winds pushed the flames through inhabited areas in the seaside Thimari region, with aerial support for firefighters unable to operate at night. 

The Culture Ministry organized events and late openings at more than 100 museums, archaeological sites and monuments across the country through August 13 to coincide with the August moon. 

As the blaze swept through olive groves and hillside scrub toward the sea, residents and firefighters battled to save homes in the fire’s path in an effort assisted by the armed forces that helped dig fire breaks.