RALPH WENGE, CNN ANCHOR: In Greece, two air force pilots died while trying to fight scores of wildfires across the country, they were killed when their plane crashed into a mountain along the eastern coast. At least four countries have sent crews to help some 5,000 Greek firefighters battle the blazes. Here's Greece's ERT.</s>FANIS PAPATHANASIOU, ERT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): More than 150 forest fires broke out last week in Greece. Several local authorities declared state of emergency as hundreds of firefighters battled to extinguish forest and brush fires. Strong winds hampered efforts and prevented fire-fighting planes and helicopters from flying. The mainland areas of Doerkiva (ph) in central Greece and of Kolifina Enerejia (ph) in Santo (ph), Greece were among the worst hit, with remote house and villages under the threat of wildfires. Several houses in the region were destroyed.</s>COSTAS SIMITAS, GREEK PRIME MINISTER (through translator): All of our resources are mobilized and they are fighting with superhuman efforts to do their best.</s>PAPATHANASIOU: Prime Minister Costa Simitas said, after an emergency meeting. The latest fires to hit Greece followed the devastating forest fires on the eastern Aegean island of Samos (ph). For a week, the island was at the fire's mercy. Finally, it was brought under control by nearly 1,000 firefighters in 75 engines. An elderly woman lost her life and thousands of hectares of forest and farmland and several houses were destroyed. Firefighters and locals are optimistic that they have seen the worst. The heat wave experienced by the whole Balkan region and caused most of the destruction have moved and temperatures have started to drop. Fanis Papathanasiou, with ERT Broadcasting, for CNN WORLD REPORT.
Greek Firefighters Continue to Battle Wildfires