Ancient Olympia: Firefighters backed by aircraft prevented the birthplace of the ancient Olympics from being consumed by flames as Greece's worst wildfires in memory blazed across the country and the death toll climbed to 60. New fires broke out faster than others could be brought under control, with 63 new blazes yesterday. Walls of flames have swallowed villages, forests and farmland over three days, leaving behind a charred landscape dotted with gutted homes and the carcasses of burned animals.

"Fires are burning in more than half the country," said fire department spokesman Nikos Diamandis. "This is definitely an unprecedented disaster for Greece."Desperate residents appealed through television stations for help from a firefighting service already stretched to the limit and many blamed authorities for leaving them defenseless. The government declared a state of emergency on Saturday.

Throughout the night, more villages were evacuated. The fire department said 42 major fires were still blazing out of control. Authorities have suggested arson caused many of the blazes, and several people had been arrested. The government offered a reward of up to $1.4 million for anyone providing information that would lead to the arrest of an arsonist.