On Saturday, a fast-moving wildfire tore through Kryoneri, a northern suburb of Athens. It destroyed several homes and forced urgent evacuations. Meanwhile, Greece and neighbouring Balkan countries faced many fires amid high temperatures and dry, windy weather.
The blaze, located about 20 kilometres northeast of Athens, gained strength from intense heat and strong winds. As a result, emergency services stretched thin across the region. A video posted by Greek journalist Evangelo Sipsas on social media clearly showed the fire’s scale.
Severe damage and evacuations
On the island of Kythera, a third wildfire consumed a large part of the area, causing widespread damage. Greece’s Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister, Giannis Kefalogiannis, reported that firefighters sustained injuries, while property and forested land suffered extensive destruction.
At least two homes burned down, and five residents, mostly elderly, required hospital treatment for burns and smoke inhalation.
Authorities sent three emergency SMS alerts to Kryoneri residents, urging them to evacuate immediately. They advised people to head towards the city centre to escape the smoke and advancing flames.
Fire Service spokesperson Vassilios Vathrakogiannis warned that conditions might worsen due to continuing high temperatures and strong winds. Consequently, Greece requested six firefighting aircraft from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
Industrial risks and firefighting efforts
Nearby, in the village of Drosopigi, about 25 kilometres north of Athens, explosions echoed through the smoke-filled air. Since the area houses factories with flammable materials, officials grew concerned about further dangers. Fire crews worked quickly to contain the blaze, while helicopters dropped water from above.
Altogether, authorities deployed 145 firefighters, 44 fire engines, 10 planes, and 7 helicopters across the greater Athens area.
Heatwave fuels multiple fires across region
This heatwave marks southern Europe’s third of the summer. Temperatures in Greece reached 44 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The fire service reported 52 new agroforestry fires in the last 24 hours, 44 of which crews quickly contained.
Vathrakogiannis explained that wildfires spread rapidly under such extreme weather, which increases the risk to people and property.
Neighbouring Albania also faced 26 fires. For instance, one near Delvina, in the south, forced the evacuation of about 2,000 people on Friday. Three people suffered injuries in that incident.
Beyond Athens, significant fires continue to burn on Crete, Evia, and Kythera. Across Greece, 335 firefighters, 19 planes, and 13 helicopters actively work to control the blazes. However, aerial support remains limited to daylight hours.
In recent years, Greece has seen a rise in the frequency and severity of wildfires.
