Massive wildfire outside Athens contained; media blast government response

• published: 23 Jul 2015
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HEADLINE: Fires spare Greek historic sites CAPTION: Ancient Greek heritage sites have been spared so far from raging wildfires. However, the government response is taking a beating by media and opposition leaders. (Aug. 25) [Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] NB. THIS IS A VOICEOVER TRANSCRIPT, NOT A FULL SHOT LIST. The sport of distance running began in Greece -- here along the fabled route from Marathon to Athens, where a messenger ran to bring news of one of the greatest military victories in ancient history. Friday night, fire broke out in a mountainous area near town -- charring thousands of acres of pine forest, olive grove, brush and farmland. Residents fought for days to save their ancient heritage. Spared -- the ruins of the famed temple of Apollo -- though it was close. Flames blackened the surrounding landscape . For days smoke hung over Athens, cloaking the capital in an eerie brown half-light. The fire is contained, but fire crews continue to patrol smoldering areas north and east of the capital, guarding against flareups while assessing the damage. At least 150 homes have been damaged. But now the Greek government is facing a different kind of firestorm. Opposition parties and media are blasting the government's response to the blaze as inadequate. Throughout the fight, volunteers tried to beat back the flames with buckets of water and garden hoses, while several local mayors were sharply critical of the help they received from the government. The government defended its effort, which involved water-dropping aircraft. A government spokesman said it was well-coordinated. APTN STORY NUMBER: 617295 1. Wide shot of entrance to Olympics venue 2. Olympic flags and milestone at the starting point for the Olympics marathon race of 2004 3. Statue of Miltiades, leader of the Athenian army that beat the Persians in 490 BC in Marathon 4. Sign at entrance to archeological site of Marathon tomb 5. Modern wall painting of marathon runner 6. "Marathon" design at entrance of site 7. Hummock and trees 8. Pull out from hole in tower of the ancient fortress of Oinoi surrounded by burnt trees 9. Burnt trees, tower behind 10. Burnt trees 11. Long shot of fortress, trees in foreground 12. Exterior of Town hall 13. Bronze statues of athletes and Olympic torch in Mayor's office 14. SOUNDBITE: (Greek) Spyros Zagaris, Mayor of Marathon "The wonderful forest of Oinoi where there is the copy of the treasure of Athenians, dedicated to Delphi - this was called the treasure of the Athenians - all of it burnt down around the Marathon Lake. The forest of the lake got burnt, as well as a fantastic, environmentally beautiful place." 15. Various of the archeological site of the temple of ancient god Apollo, blackened landscape around 16. Close up stones at site 17. SOUNDBITE: (Greek) Spyros Zagaris, Mayor of Marathon "This place has more history than the Oracle of Delphi. It is the place where predictions were made and were then taken to the Oracle of Delphi to be explained." 18. Church, burnt trees in foreground 19. Burnt trees, cross of church behind 20. Window grille 21. Pull out of fire brigade plane flying over the lake of Marathon 22. Fire brigade truck on bridge over the lake of Marathon You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/b28c50a78ecd54a17069fa1bcd80c8eb Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork