Greece deployed hundreds of firefighters, aircraft and emergency personnel on Saturday as multiple wildfires burned across the country, destroying homes, forcing evacuations and threatening communities near Athens, underscoring the growing severity of Europe’s wildfire crisis amid extreme heat and prolonged drought.
The country’s Fire Service concentrated its largest operation in the Viotia region of central Greece, where a massive wildfire that erupted Friday near the villages of Agios Vasilios and Xironomi continued to spread overnight. Strong winds pushed the flames into neighboring Attica, the region surrounding Athens, prompting authorities to mobilize extensive aerial and ground resources in an effort to prevent the fire from reaching more populated areas.
At first light, 29 firefighting aircraft and helicopters resumed water-dropping operations while more than 325 firefighters, backed by 18 specialized forest firefighting units, volunteers, 92 fire engines and other emergency vehicles, continued battling the blaze after working through the night. Officials said the combination of steep terrain, dense vegetation and powerful winds continued to complicate containment efforts.
The fires are the latest chapter in an unusually destructive European wildfire season that began earlier than normal and has intensified rapidly after successive heat waves left forests and grasslands dangerously dry. Scientists have linked the increasing frequency and intensity of such fires to climate change, which has produced hotter temperatures, longer droughts and weather conditions favorable to fast-moving wildfires.
Greek authorities placed Athens, the wider Attica region and the southern half of Evia island under the country’s highest wildfire alert on Saturday, marking the first time this year that such a broad area has been classified at the maximum level of fire danger. Officials warned residents to remain vigilant as forecasts called for continued strong winds capable of rapidly spreading existing fires and igniting new ones.
One of the most dangerous fires burned near Porto Germeno, a coastal community about 45 miles northwest of Athens, where gale-force winds drove flames through forested areas and into residential neighborhoods. Several homes were damaged as firefighters struggled to slow the advancing fire.
The Hellenic Coast Guard evacuated 12 people by sea from Porto Germeno after road access became increasingly hazardous. Elsewhere, authorities continued evacuation efforts that began Friday around the Gulf of Corinth, where 254 residents and tourists were transported to safety by sea as flames approached coastal settlements.
On Saturday, officials also ordered residents of Livadostra, another village in Viotia, to evacuate as the wildfire expanded under worsening weather conditions. Emergency alerts were issued through Greece’s civil protection system, urging residents to leave immediately and follow designated evacuation routes.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the Civil Protection Operations and Crisis Management Coordination Center in Athens to receive updates on the rapidly evolving emergency. During the briefing, officials focused on the fires burning in Agios Vasilios, Xironomi and Porto Germeno, which remain among the country’s highest priorities.
The government said all available national firefighting resources have been mobilized while emergency agencies continue coordinating with regional authorities to protect lives and critical infrastructure. Officials emphasized that rapidly shifting winds remain the greatest obstacle to containment.
Another significant wildfire continued burning in the Aigialeia area of the northwestern Peloponnese, where more than 80 firefighters, assisted by six firefighting aircraft, battled flames spreading through forestland. Gusty conditions repeatedly forced crews to reposition as fires changed direction.
According to the Greek Fire Service, more than 50 separate wildfires ignited nationwide during the 24-hour period ending Friday evening. Although many were quickly contained, several developed into major incidents because of exceptionally hot, dry and windy conditions.
Fire officials said turbulence generated by strong winds has also reduced the effectiveness of aerial firefighting operations. Pilots have faced dangerous flying conditions that limit water-dropping missions during periods of peak wind intensity, forcing greater reliance on ground crews.
The latest emergency comes as Europe experiences one of its most destructive wildfire seasons in recent years. Massive fires have swept across Spain and southwestern France, while other countries continue battling blazes fueled by prolonged heat and drought. More than 300,000 people have been evacuated across the continent this summer as fires have scorched vast areas of woodland and threatened communities.
Conditions have gradually improved in southwestern France, where cooler temperatures have helped firefighters contain major wildfires near Bordeaux. However, extreme heat has shifted toward southeastern France, keeping fire risks elevated across the Mediterranean region.
Spain has also reported slower fire activity after recent large blazes, although authorities remain on alert as high temperatures persist. In the United Kingdom, firefighters have continued efforts to contain a wildfire burning across Dunwich Heath in southeastern England.
Meteorologists warn that Europe is likely to face several more weeks of elevated wildfire danger as weather patterns continue to favor hot, dry conditions across much of the continent. Climate researchers say rising global temperatures have lengthened the annual fire season, increasing both the likelihood and intensity of large wildfires.
Greek authorities urged residents to avoid activities that could spark new fires and to comply immediately with evacuation orders where issued. Emergency services warned that with powerful winds expected to persist, even relatively small fires could rapidly develop into major incidents capable of threatening communities within hours.
More in Europe coverage
- Thousands of firefighters are battling major blazes that have already burned tens of thousands of hectares and forced mass evacuations, while authorities warn that temperatures above 40C could make conditions significantly worse.
- Government data linked 1,029 excess deaths to extreme heat as Spain experienced its second-hottest June on record.
- Britain records its hottest June day on record while authorities across Europe struggle to protect residents from a deadly early summer heatwave.
- New UNICEF report finds children in Africa and South Asia face the highest exposure to multiple climate-related disasters, with drought and extreme heat emerging as the most common combination of risks.
- Researchers say the planet’s current population of 8.3 billion is placing unprecedented pressure on ecosystems, climate systems, food supplies, and natural resources.
