Greek and Polish firefighters continued efforts on Friday to contain somewhat abated forest fires that broke out five days ago northwest of Greece's capital Athens.

The wildfires that had already devoured pine forests in the area have burned over Mt. Pateras overnight moving towards the town of Megara.

The country's fire department said that 461 firefighters, including 143 from Poland, are deployed against the blaze, along with 166 vehicles, four firefighting planes, and four helicopters.

Breaking out on Monday, the fire has burned down numerous houses and forced the evacuation of several settlements with an estimated 100,000 acres reduced to ash.

Meanwhile, another fire that broke out earlier on Friday near the town of Keratea southeast of the capital is currently under control, according to local media.

Since Aug. 3 Greece's firefighting capabilities have been stretched to their limits as the country battles for three consecutive weeks against large wildfires all over the country, leading the government to seek international help.

Around 24 European nations, as well as others from the Middle East, responded to the appeal.

According to Greek media, authorities are looking into the possibility of arson after witnesses saw flares into the forest./agencies