Multiple dangerous wildfires are raging across six Greek regions, forcing widespread evacuations and overwhelming emergency services as the country faces a combination of heatwave, drought, and strong winds.
The blazes threaten forests, crops, livestock facilities, homes, vehicles, and critical infrastructure in Afidnes, Kythira, Messinia, Evia, Kozani, and Thessaloniki.
Emergency authorities have issued numerous 112 alert messages ordering residents to evacuate from affected areas, whilst firefighting forces have been significantly reinforced with aerial support. Two houses and vehicles have been consumed by flames in Afidnes, with five people requiring rescue operations.
Critical situation in Attica
Firefighting forces have been strengthened to combat the blaze that erupted in low vegetation near Drosopigi in Afidnes, Attica, where atmospheric conditions remain suffocating. Emergency services have deployed 102 firefighters, three specialist ground teams, 36 vehicles, volunteers, two aircraft, and three helicopters, with additional support from local authority water tankers.
Two 112 emergency messages ordered residents of Drosopigi and Kryoneri to evacuate towards the National Road. The alerts stated: “If you are in the Drosopigi area, evacuate via Afidnes Road towards Afidnes and the National Road” and “If you are in the Kryoneri area, evacuate via the National Road towards Athens.”
Kythira
The situation remains critical on Kythira, where a wildfire that began before 9:30am in agricultural and forest land near Pitsinades continues to rage uncontrolled. Strong winds reaching Force 6 on the Beaufort scale are intensifying the flames, causing the fire to spread rapidly and forcing the evacuation of multiple settlements through continuous 112 alerts.
Residents from Drymonas, Dokana, Pitsinianika, and Kalokairines have been ordered to evacuate towards Livadi, whilst previous messages requested evacuations from Aroniiadika, Pitsinades, Mylopotamos, Araioi, Piso Pigadi, Kato Chora, Dourgianika, Perlegianika, Lianienika, and Kominianika towards Limniona and Potamos.
Deputy Mayor of Kythira Giorgos Komninos described the situation as completely out of control, making a dramatic appeal for aircraft and helicopters. “If aerial support doesn’t arrive here, we will burn,” he declared to ERTNews, urgently requesting immediate air reinforcement.
Sixteen firefighters with six vehicles travelled by ferry from Neapoli Lakonias to strengthen firefighting forces on the island.
Beachgoers trapped
A rescue operation is underway to evacuate people from Limnionas Beach on Kythira to Kapsali Port, coordinated by the Hellenic Coast Guard Operations Centre. One coast guard vessel and three private boats have been mobilised to transport civilians trapped on the beach as flames approached the shoreline dangerously.
Two additional coast guard vessels and private boats are heading to reinforce the operation to move civilians to safety if deemed necessary by authorities.
Firefighters Injured in Evia
Firefighters are engaged in a titanic battle in Pissonas, Evia, attempting to contain massive flames and combat thick black smoke that has engulfed the entire area. The fire, which erupted from unknown causes, rapidly expanded due to strong winds, developing an extensive front moving towards the Artaki-Kymi road axis.
Many firefighters are operating with self-sacrifice, passing through the burning front to create firebreaks and protect small facilities and installations scattered throughout the area, which contains numerous livestock and poultry farms.
Two fire engines were completely destroyed when surrounded by flames, forcing crews to abandon the vehicles to save their lives under adverse conditions. The four crew members were later found with minor injuries and transported by ambulance to Chalkida General Hospital for first aid.
Central Greece Regional Governor Fanis Spanos described the fire as uncontrolled, stating: “The situation is very difficult, as it burns everything in its path. Ground forces, although reinforced, cannot contain the destruction.” He repeated appeals for aerial reinforcement as the extensive front moves uncontrollably in all directions with constantly changing wind patterns hampering firefighting efforts.
Currently, 115 firefighters with six specialist ground teams from the 20th and 4th Emergency Response Units, volunteers, and 24 vehicles are operating near the Triada area in Dirfys-Messapies municipality. Aerial firefighting involves six aircraft and seven helicopters, with one coordinating operations. Local authority water tankers and construction machinery provide additional support.
Power cuts have affected the villages of Pournos, Mistros, Vatonias, and Theologos after the destructive fire burned electricity company pylons. Utility crews created firebreaks to facilitate firefighter operations.
Earlier, a 112 message urged residents in the broader area to immediately evacuate Pissonas and head towards Afrati for safety reasons.
Evacuations in Kozani
A wildfire erupted at 13:35 in grassland between Pontokomi and Mavropigi, outside Ptolemaida, in Kozani regional unit. Twenty-four firefighters with 11 vehicles, construction machinery, and municipal water tankers are operating at the scene.
Traffic on the vertical axis of Egnatia Motorway at the 10th kilometre of the Kozani-Ptolemaida route has been temporarily suspended due to limited visibility from smoke and to facilitate firefighting operations, with traffic diverted to the old national road.
Houses burning in Messinia
Firefighting forces have been reinforced to combat the blaze in forest land near Polythea, Messinia. The fire erupted around 12:08 and expanded rapidly, with initial reports indicating two warehouses in Kryoneri, Messinia, have sustained damage, though final assessment awaits completion of firefighting operations.
Eighty-four firefighters with two specialist teams from the 9th and 18th Emergency Response Units and 30 vehicles are operating at the scene, supported by seven aircraft and two helicopters for aerial firefighting. Local authority water tankers and construction machinery provide additional assistance.
Four 112 messages have been issued due to the ongoing forest fire, with three calling for evacuations from Monastiri, Kryoneri, and Sellas settlements in Messinia, preceded by an alert urging citizens to remain prepared due to the forest fire.
Fire in Thessaloniki
Strong ground and aerial firefighting forces have been mobilised to control a fire that erupted at 13:34 in agricultural and forest land near Arethousa in Volvi municipality, Thessaloniki. Sixty-five firefighters with 23 vehicles, two specialist ground teams from the 2nd Emergency Response Unit, two helicopters, and three aircraft are operating at the scene, supported by construction machinery and local authority water tankers.
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