ATHENS — A massive wildfire fueled by gale-force winds is burning out of control on the outskirts of Athens Monday and is forcing mass evacuations.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis flew back to Athens, cutting short his vacation on the island of Crete, to oversee the firefighting operation.

The wildfire on the northern outskirts of the Greek capital broke out early Sunday afternoon and the flames have already destroyed an area more than 30 kilometers long, reviving bitter memories from 2018 when 104 people died in the seaside town of Mati outside Athens.

Hundreds of firefighters, backed up by more than 30 water-bombing planes and 190 fire trucks, were battling the large blazes on the northern outskirts of Athens, but the winds repeatedly changed direction, making the operation more difficult.

Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said the state's response was immediate and the first planes were deployed five minutes after the fire broke out.

The fire, which started about 35 kilometers north of Athens, had by Monday reached the village of Grammatiko, the seaside community of Nea Makri and the outskirts of the capital's densely populated northern suburbs on Mount Penteli. A thick blanket of smoke covered the Athens sky, bringing a pervasive smell of burning.

Dozens of towns and villages, three hospitals, two monasteries and a children's home were evacuated. Authorities in nearby suburbs opened a sports hall and also offered rooms in hotels for evacuees, while other districts are on standby for possible evacuation.

Winds are expected to increase.

Two firefighters were slightly injured, while several citizens were treated in hospitals for smoke inhalation. Several homes were destroyed, although the exact extent was not immediately clear.