Firefighters on alert, Crete wildfire tamed

Authorities across the country remain on alert after 71 wildfires were reported nationwide in the space of just 12 hours on Saturday.

The biggest of the fires, on Crete, forced dozens to flee their homes.

The blaze, which has been brought under control, broke out early Saturday. Fanned by strong winds, it spread across the slopes of the mountainous forest east of the seaside town of Ierapetra.

Authorities ordered the precautionary evacuation of the villages of Achlia, Galini, Agia Fotia and Mavros Kolimpos, as the blaze closed in on some homes.

"The fire has subsided significantly after the efforts of hundreds of firefighters," a fire service official told Reuters. "It was the first big one near a residential area this year."

Scientists fear that the season could be damaging given that Greece has just had its warmest winter on record, leaving much...