High winds kept producing flare-ups but the fire was no longer advancing on a single, broad front, as it did on Saturday, authorities said.

The blazes were being fought as Greeks voted in a national election that could determine whether their financially strapped nation stays in the euro.

Economou said Greece had appealed to the European Union for help in battling the blazes. Italy sent two water-dropping planes Sunday morning, he said. Athens was also awaiting a response from France and Croatia.

Fire department chief Panagiotis Bonatsos appealed to the public on state NET TV to avoid carrying out any outdoor work that could spark fires.

Four people were to appear in court later Sunday on allegations of accidentally causing the blaze south of Athens while carrying out welding work at a construction site.