Greece wildfire: Firefighters battle blaze near Athens as winds rage

A fierce wildfire raged near Porto Germeno, a popular coastal resort northwest of Athens, on Saturday, with over 300 firefighters struggling to contain the blaze amid violent winds. The fire department confirmed the fire reached the sea, causing damage to homes.

“

The fire has reached the sea… homes have certainly been damaged.

Strong winds hampered firefighting efforts, forcing aircraft to be moved to less severe fires in the Peloponnese. The fire, which began near Agios Vasileios, prompted an evacuation order that many residents initially ignored. Consequently, around 300 people required rescue by sea.

Wildfire meteorologist Theodore Giannaros estimated the affected area exceeded 4,000 to 5,000 hectares. This incident is part of a broader trend of wildfires across Greece this week, including on Crete, which have already claimed the lives of three firefighters. A maximum fire risk alert was issued for several regions, including Athens, the Peloponnese, Crete, and the Turkish border area.

“

The winds are very strong. Aircraft are trying to operate as best they can, but some are unable to and have been transferred to another fire (in the Peloponnese) where conditions are milder.

Greece, like much of the Mediterranean, faces significant wildfire risks annually due to high temperatures, heat waves, and drought, exacerbated by climate change. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had warned of difficult days ahead, noting that while Greece was relatively spared earlier in the summer, the situation was worsening.

“

The area that has been affected appears to exceed 4-5,000 hectares.