ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Greece (AP) -- Massive wildfires burning into a fourth day across southern Greece have now claimed at least 60 lives.

Firefighters on the ground and planes dropping water and foam from the air are protecting the birthplace of the ancient Olympics. The pristine forest around the site has burned, but the 2,800-year-old ruins themselves have so far been saved.

Greek fire officials say more than 40 major fires were still burning out of control as of Monday morning. Flames fanned by stiff winds have spiraled hundreds of feet into the air.

Over the weekend, new fires broke out faster than old ones could be contained. And people trapped by flames were phoning television stations with desperate pleas for help.

Hard-pressed civilian firefighters are getting reinforcements from the Greek army, and dozens of other countries are sending help.