Greece: Twin wildfires near Athens kill 20, gut vacation resorts

Greece sought international help through the European Union as the fires on either side of Athens left lines of cars torched, charred farms and forests, and sent hundreds of people racing to beaches to be evacuated by navy vessels, yachts and fishing boats. A firefighter sprays water on the fire in the town of Mati, east of Athens, Monday, July 23, 2018. | Associated Press

Winds reached 80 kph (50 mph) as authorities deployed the country's entire fleet of water-dropping planes and helicopters to give vacationers time to escape. Military drones remained in the air in the high winds to help officials direct more than 600 firefighters below. Buildings burn in the town of Mati, east of Athens, Monday, July 23, 2018. | Associated Press

The fire posed no immediate threat to Greece's famed ancient monuments, but as it raged inland children's' summer camps and holiday homes were hastily abandoned. Fleeing drivers clogged highways into Athens, hampering the firefighting effort. | Associated Press

Greek Fire Service officials issued public pleas for residents in fire-affected areas to comply with evacuation orders and not stay on in an effort trying to save their homes. Smoke fills the sky as members of the emergency services block a road near Kineta, west of Athens, Monday, July 23, 2018. | Associated Press

People cover their faces from the smoke that fills the sky near Kineta, west of Athens, after roads were blocked due to forest fires Monday, July 23, 2018. | Associated Press