Sunday morning, my time, a posting was made to the Classics-L list serv by a Greek member of the list:

The flames have reached ancient Olympia. They are already inside the archaeological site and about the Olympic Academy, two hundred meters from the ancient Museum, and though the buildings are said to be protected by automatic water sprinkling systems and there seem to be several fire-fighting engines, planes and a helicopter presently fighting to protect the site, as well as the village, where are many houses in flames and people in danger, the winds render the battle uneven. I see images of Olympia on screen, all embraced in a thicket of glowing red smoke. The Minister of Culture is already here, firefighters, the army, but for the fierce fire spreading winds ... And night is not far away.

Half an hour later, he posted:

I am terribly sad to report that fires are engulfing the Museum of Olympia. The Kronion Hill ("Kronion te Nawn Lofos") is burning. Due to the raging winds firefighters seem unable to intervene any longer effectively. One old man, whose house is next to the archaeological site, does not seem to want to abandon the place. Olympia sites' public employs and citizens are fighting with any means they have available. The situation is dramatic.

However, near noon Central Time in the US, he posted this:

Minutes ago journalists entered the New Museum of Olympia and were relieved and elated to report that, whereas it seemed to had been burned in places on the outside, inside it all is wholly untouched. The fire did not pass into the inside. A special tank-like fire engine that was used there seems to have made a difference, along with tenths of residents that have rushed with water buckets and branches on hand to give a helping hand to the greatly exhausted professional fire fighters. Though danger is still about the site, there are no more great flames, and the wind has subsided. The Old Museum seems also to be out of danger, but I will try to find out more about this. The Olympic Academy buildings also seem to be OK. But the Cronion hill has been largely burned.

Meantime the dead (that have been found, so far) are said to have reached now 60. Many hundreds of people are still in serious danger -- among other places in the town of Figalia -- and are struggling.

Greece is in agony.

Isidoros, Athens

As I read these aroun 5 PM, Sunday evening, my heart was in my mouth and I was close to tears. I never made it to Olympia when I was in Greece, but my mom, sister and niece did earlier this summer. I told them what to look for and they came back just thrilled with what they saw. So Sunday afternoon, as I read my email and saw the pics from assorted links of fires RIGHT IN THE RUINS OF THE TEMPLES OF ZEUS AND HERA, I was filled with despair. Thank God the museum was spared, but there is oh so much that is yet threatened.

For a satillite image of how bad it is, go here.

Weep for Hellas.