Greece is burning, Site of ancient Olympic Games threatened

Resurgent wildfires in Greece burned down homes in the north of Athens and forced more evacuations around southern Greece as weather conditions worsened due to Europe's worst heatwave in decades.

The forest fire drew closer to ancient Olympia, an archaeological site in southern Greece that was the birthplace of the ancient Olympics. Located in the western Peloponesse, the site is where flame lighting ceremonies for the modern summer and winter Olympics are held every two years.

The causes of the Greek wildfires were unclear, but authorities say human error and carelessness are most frequently to blame. The wildfires have not caused any deaths or serious injuries but dozens of villages and settlements have been evacuated.

Also watch: Watch: Deadly wildfire ravages southern Turkey

Greece is hit by forest fires every summer, but experts have warned that global warming increases both its frequency and intensity.