Greece explores terror link to forest fire

A wildfire, also known as a wildland fire, forest fire, vegetation fire, grass fire, peat fire or hill fire, is an uncontrolled fire often occurring in wildland areas. In medieval times, the word 8220;wildfire8221; was a synonym for Greek fire as forest fires are common during Greece8217;s hot, dry summers.

Major European forest fires

Aug 2005 PORTUGAL: The biggest of five fires stretched more than 21 km near Mirando do Corvo, Lisbon.

Aug 2005 SPAIN: In Galicia firefighters battled blazes that destroyed 45,000 acres of forest.

Aug 2006 PORTUGAL: On August 10, 564 fires raged in the country

Aug 2006 SPAIN: In early August, firefighters battled 122 blazes in one of Spain8217;s most heavily wooded regions.

July 2007 BULGARIA: Bulgaria asks NATO, to send aircraft to fight hundreds of wildfires.

August 2007: During the month, the EU said it was helping Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy and Macedonia fight fires.