ATHENS, July 1, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Forest fires that raged in the outer suburbs of Athens over the weekend have been brought under control, firefighters said Monday.

Fanned by strong winds of up to 70 kilometres per hour and dry conditions, two fires broke out Sunday in the seaside resort of Keratea, east of the capital, and the suburb Stamata.

Authorities carried out evacuations and a 45-year-old man died of cardiac arrest while trying to flee the flames in Stamata.

Several houses and cars were destroyed in the flames.

By Monday, the fires had all been brought under control, said fire department spokesperson Vasilis Vathrakogiannis.

"There is no longer an active front, the fires were contained by firefighter supports on Sunday, by water bombers and helicopters, who fought in very dangerous conditions," he said.

He added that the fact that winds had eased had helped control the majority of fires across the country.

A wildfire which ignited Saturday afternoon in the area of Mount Parnitha-- known as "the lungs of Athens" -- was controlled Saturday evening with the help of reinforcements from other regions as well as volunteer firefighters.

Greece, a tourist hotspot, faces a tough wildfire season after its warmest winter and earliest heatwave on record, with temperatures hitting 44oC (111oF) in June.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called on Greeks to brace for a difficult wildfire season.