Forest fires raging across southern Greece appeared to be abating Sunday, but high winds spurred occasional flare-ups and the danger was far from over, authorities said.

Forest and brush fires are common in the hot, dry summer months in Greece. In 2007, more than 60 people were killed when forest fires scorched the country's south.

Citizens' Protection Minister Eleftherios Economou said more than 30 fires had broken out across the country on Saturday, but that most were brought under control. The risk of new fires was considered high after several days of hot temperatures followed by strong winds across most of Greece.

One major blaze south of Athens has burned some 2,000 hectares (5,500 acres) of brush land and forest, completely destroyed 15 houses and partially damaged more than 100 others, authorities said. Three firefighters were injured battling those flames on Saturday.

More than 180 firefighters and soldiers, alongside a number of local volunteers, were using more than 120 vehicles to fight the blaze, which was in a sparsely populated area south of the capital.