A large fire broke has broken out on the Greek island of Evia near Athens, the government said, with two villages evacuated, less than a month after more than 90 people died in Greece’s worst-ever wildfire.

“The prime minister is in close contact with the interior minister over the large fire in Evia,” the prime minister Alexis Tsipras’ office said.

Agriculture minister Vangelis Apostolou, who was on the scene, told state agency ANA that fire-fighting forces were bracing for an all-night struggle.

“Forces from the entire region have been transfered here,” Apostolou said.

Some 500 people at the local villages of Kontodespoti and Stavros had earlier been evacuated as a precaution.

Around 250 firefighters with 62 fire engines supported by troops were operating in the area, about 92km (57 miles) north of Athens, officials said.

Greece is still mourning 94 dead from a wildfire that struck the coastal resort of Mati near Athens on 23 July. Over 30 people are still in hospital, several in critical condition.

The country’s worst fire calamity prompted the resignation or sacking of the heads of the police and fire brigade, in addition to the minister responsible for state security.