ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek authorities say a fire fighter has died while helping to battle a large wildfire burning inside an air force base just west of the capital Athens.
A Fire Department spokesman speaking anonymously according to department regulations said the fire fighter felt unwell and was taken to a nearby hospital where he died.
Fires often rage through Greece during summer months, and recent days have seen several blazes.
Greek air force spokesman Constantinos Grapsas says the blaze that broke out Wednesday is not endangering installations at the Elefsina base.
He says 40 fire engines, seven water-dropping aircraft, one helicopter and 160 fire fighters are battling the fire.
The air base is primarily used by fire-fighting and transport planes and that no armed military strike aircraft are stationed there.
