ATHENS – A fire that broke out near the Athens-Lamia National Road at the Martinos area was under control shortly and traffic resumed shortly before 10:00 pm on Friday, having been suspended because of thick smoke.

Some drivers were able to use the alternate roads pointed out by the police, through Martino, Larymna, Agios Ioannis and Kokkino, but others had to wait it out.

Strong winds prevented efforts by firefighters and water trucks from extinguishing the fire, which broke out for unknown reasons around 3:00 pm on Friday, burning through a forested area, reaching wheat fields and moved on to Kastro village. Efforts concentrated on preventing its spread towards the National Road, and it was placed under control shortly after 9:00 pm.

Airplanes carrying water could not fly low because of the electricity power network, one official told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.