By Yannis Behrakis
ATHENS (Reuters) - Dozens of Athens residents fled their homes on Friday as wildfires fanned by strong winds and high temperatures burned through woodland around the Greek capital, sending clouds of smoke billowing over the city.
More than 80 firefighters with 18 fire engines and three aircraft battled the flames, which a Reuters photographer said were threatening homes.
Resident Christos Arabatzakos said he and others were trying to put out the flames with buckets of water. So far, no one has been reported injured, fire brigade officials said.
"The situation is difficult," said Michalis Karagiannis, deputy mayor of Vyronas, one of the suburbs near the flames.
The fires added to the problems facing the government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, which is struggling to obtain a fresh bailout from foreign creditors.
Energy Minister Panagiotis Lafazanis, who spoke to Greek TV from the scene with a protective mask across his face, said: "We are all making an effort to stop the worst."
He was heckled by angry residents who accused him of doing "micro politics" and urged him to "take off your jacket and help."
Tsipras was briefed by officials at the defence ministry about the fires and may delay a reshuffle of his cabinet, expected on Friday, because of the emergency.
Officials said Greece had asked France and Italy for help with extra fire-fighting aircraft.
Separately, wildfires burned through rural land in the region of Laconia in the Peloponnese, forcing one fire-fighting aircraft into an emergency landing, according to the regional governor.
State television reported the fire's front was over 15 km long and one health centre in the region was preparing to evacuate patients. A police source said a 58-year-old died after inhaling fumes and suffering respiratory problems.
"Things are very bad," Peloponnese Governor Petros Tatoulis told state television. "The situation is critical. We are working to prevent casualties."
Forest fires are common during the summer months in Greece. They caused huge damage and heavy loss of life in 2007.
(Additional reporting by Karolina Tagaris, Angeliki Koutantou, Lefteris Papadimas; Writing by Karolina Tagaris; Editing by Larry King)
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