Firefighters battle blazes on Greek island of Crete

Firefighters battled blazes on Greek island of Crete on Saturday after several fires have spre on island since Friday.

fire service said 120 firefighters were tackling flames, assisted by five helicopters.

Some villages evacuated "on initiative of local authorities," a spokesman said.

Local media has reported that luxury villas rented by tourists were also evacuated.

fire service cannot give an estimate on damage at this point.

But high winds prevail and temperatures are rising.

re has been an alert since mid-week of dangerous conditions in Ans region, parts of sourn Greece including Crete and some Aegean islands.

Greece suffers destructive wildfires every summer.

In 2018, more than 100 people died in a blaze at Mati seaside resort east of Ans.

Since n, authorities have focused on swift, precautionary evacuations of inhabited areas under threat.

(IMAGE: AP)