A wildfire is has destroyed dozens of homes near Greece's coastal village of Schinos, in the Corinth region, about 48 miles west of Athens.

Evacuation orders were issued for several areas near the fire, deputy minister of civil protection and crisis management Nikos Hardalias said. Authorities issued evacuations for 18 settlements, many of which are areas with many vacation homes, WFMZ reported. A convent and two Orthodox Christian monasteries were also evacuated.

According to the Associated Press, Hardalias said that more than 15 square miles have been burned, mostly forest in the mountainous terrain. The fire destroyed power lines, causing local blackouts as well.

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Smoke could be seen over Athens on Friday, and officials advised residents in areas nearby the fire to avoid outdoor exercise, to limit any time spent outside and keep doors and windows closed.

(MORE: Greece Wildfire Sends Smoke Over Athens; Several Homes Destroyed)

The AP reported that more than 300 firefighters were battling the blaze on Friday, and they had managed to prevent the burning of a nearby wildlife refuge south of the fire. Firefighting efforts also kept the fire from expanding further east towards the town of Megara.

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