Two large wildfires have broken out in Greece, one on the outskirts of the Greek capital, Athens, and the other in the southern Pelopponese Peninsula, with the latter prompting evacuations.

On Friday, fire erupted on Mount Ymittos, which overlooks central Athens, near the district of Kareas, blanketing parts of the city center in thick smoke. Large plumes of smoke were reported floating through the neighborhood of Ilioupoli in the capital.

The incident prompted the fire department to engage 10 fire engines and send over two helicopters to the area.

The residents of nearby neighborhoods were also helping some 45 firefighters battle the flames.

A fire department spokesman, however, assured, that “homes are not in danger.”

The country also witnessed another wildfire in the southern Peloponnese Peninsula, which forced the evacuation of five villages near the town of Monemvasia.

Compounding the problem were the mountainous terrain and gushing winds.

“It’s hellish right now, there are hundreds of pockets of fire,” Monemvasia’s mayer Iraklis Trichilis said.

Fire department spokesman Nikos Tsongas also warned, “The winds are strong and are not expected to weaken. There could be further damage.”

Officials said more than 120 firefighters had been dispatched to the area, supported by 50 fire engines, and six aircraft.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was, meanwhile, due to visit the headquarters of the civil defense authorities to assess the risks posed by the fires, which are common during Greece’s hot and dry summers.

In 2007, more than 60 people lost their lives and dozens of villages were destroyed in massive forest fires that ravaged southern parts of Greece.