Thessaloniki, Greece – Water-bombing planes, helicopters and more than 200 firefighters battled for hours to stop the flames spreading across the Halkidiki peninsula, south of the city of Thessaloniki. …Within hours of erupting, the fire bore down on homes around the popular resorts of Siviri and Fourka, which are packed with summer tourists. The region is dominated by flammable pine forests. …And more than 480 tourists in bathing costumes, and many carrying children in their arms, were evacuated by sea in small boats and coast guard and fire brigade vessels… Some were moved to nearby beaches, while about 200 tourists were taken to a ship waiting at sea. …ERT public television said a three-kilometre-long wall of flames up to 30 metres high was closing in on the resorts. …Halkidiki authorities had banned the public from entering the region’s pine forests.