Current situation with fires in Greece: where is burning, how big is the damage, and what warnings are in effect?

In Greece, in recent days, large fires have been active, but that does not mean that the whole country is burning as it may seem from some news reports. Updated 14.08. A big fire broke out on 13.08. in Kassandra, in the area between Siviri and Kassandra, specifically near the ancient theater of Siviri. For now, we are informed that the cause of the fire was the fall of a power line caused by a strong wind. Fire in Siviri - overview, ¹⁴⁄₀₈ at 8am

Firefighters and volunteers have been active throughout the night on several small fire fronts, with reinforced firefighting units. With the first rays of the sun, aerial firefighting has resumed. The road at the junction from Poseidi to Siviri has been closed since this morning to facilitate the traffic of firefighting vehicles in that area.

The picture of the fire in Siviri has improved since morning, with scattered small hotspots and an increased risk of rekindling due to strong winds. In the operation, there were 227 firefighters, 13 infantry units, 57 vehicles, as well as forces from Moldova and construction machinery of the municipality of Kassandra. The fire damaged at least two houses and destroyed firefighting vehicles and cars, while two firefighters were slightly injured. 481 tourists were safely evacuated by sea from that area, with the help of the Coast Guard, Fire Service, and private boats. The Fire Service warns of a very high fire risk today, with increased operational readiness due to strong wind gusts.

The fire no longer represents a single active front, however, dozens of small hotspots remain, and the risk of rekindling remains high due to strong winds continuing to blow in that area.

Throughout the night, firefighters and volunteers fought on scattered fronts, and the forces of the rescue units were strengthened to limit rekindling and gradually bring the fire under control. At this point, firefighting brigades have focused their attention on the gorge, on the other side of the hill, above Siviri.

During the operation to evacuate citizens and tourists, 481 people were safely transported from Siviri Beach.

Of them, 285 people were transferred to the Sani Marina, while another 196 boarded the Speed Runner Jet ship and were transferred to the port of Thessaloniki.

The operation involved two Coast Guard patrol boats, two fire service boats, Speed Runner Jet, three fishing boats, as well as private boats. Three Coast Guard patrol boats, two fire service boats, and private boats remain on standby in the area.

Some residents and tourists were transported by buses to a sports hall in Kassandra, where they spent the night. A total of 196 evacuees from the fire in Halkidiki were accommodated late last night in hotels and accommodation facilities in Thessaloniki. The Thessaloniki Hoteliers Association has asked its members to report available capacities for better coordination. The hotel occupancy rate in Thessaloniki is currently below 60%, making it easier to find accommodation for evacuees. The buses that participated in the evacuation also transported tourists directly to available hotels in the city. Official approval from municipal authorities is awaited for the full return of evacuees.

In the last 24 hours starting in early August, 59 field and forest fires broke out throughout Greece. 45 of them were extinguished in the initial phase. The most severe situation was in western Attica and southern Boeotia, approximately 70 kilometers west of Athens, and in the south of Kefalonia, while fires or smaller hotspots were being extinguished in various parts of central Greece, northern Peloponnese, and Crete.

Most critical areas: Western Attica and Porto Germeno - fires extinguished but large areas damaged

The biggest problem remains the fire that spread from Boeotia to the western part of Attica and affected the wider area of Porto Germeno. The fire passed through a large area of ​​pine forest, reached settlements, and in some places even reached the coast. During the day, evacuation orders were issued for several settlements, while some residents and tourists were evacuated by boats. The fire spread in several directions and constantly changed direction due to stormy and very unpredictable winds.

Almost 500 firefighters are engaged in the entire area, including teams from France and Romania.

The strong wind not only accelerated the spread of the fire but practically prevented aerial firefighting during the most critical hours. The wind of six to seven Beaufort was so strong that planes and helicopters could not safely fly. Aircraft were able to make only a limited number of water drops in short periods when the wind temporarily weakened, while most of the fight was conducted from the ground.

Material damage: According to the deputy mayor of Mandra, in the wider area of Porto Germeno, between 100 and 150 houses were affected or damaged by the fire.

UPDATE: Consequences of the mega-fires in Attica and Boeotia - scale of the disaster and damage assessment

The consequences of the mega-fires that hit Attica and Boeotia are terrifying. According to expert estimates, the fire released thermal energy equivalent to the power of up to six atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima, while in the first days, it devoured more than 1,100 hectares of forest and vegetation per hour.

• Extent of destruction: In about 91 hours (from July 31 to August 4), a total of about 45,200 hectares burned down.
• Most critical moments: More than half of the total area (around 25,000 hectares, or 55%) burned down in just two nights - between July 31 and August 2.

Initial damage assessment on the ground: Authorities for disaster recovery have gone to the field to assess the damage:

• In the area of Porto Germeno, more than 100 homes were completely destroyed or seriously damaged.
• Out of 192 inspected buildings, as many as 84 buildings received a “red” mark (dangerous for safety and slated for demolition).
• Another 65 buildings were marked with a “yellow” color, meaning they are temporarily unfit and unsafe for habitation.

Central Greece, Peloponnese, Kefalonia, and Crete - fires extinguished

Central Greece and Peloponnese

Another serious fire broke out in Phocis, in central Greece, across from the northern coast of the Peloponnese. The fire reached the yards of some houses during the day and caused multiple evacuations. By late evening, the situation was somewhat better, but scattered hotspots remained, posing a significant risk of rekindling. An alert has also been issued for the industrial area of Megara (112).

Kefalonia

A fire broke out in the south of Kefalonia in the area between the towns of Markopoulo, Kremidi, and Kastelios. Several villages were notified to evacuate. Today (2.8.), stronger winds have started blowing again. According to reports from our followers: “Two planes appeared with the first rays of the sun and have been flying over for hours. The smell of burning has started to be noticeable recently.”

Southern Crete

In southern Crete, in the region of Rethymno, large fires are in retreat, but firefighters continue to monitor numerous hotspots. Olive groves, agricultural land, buildings, livestock, and parts of natural areas have been destroyed. The fire also affected the area of the famous palm forest of Preveli, although it seems that its largest part has been preserved.

How much area has burned so far?

The final total for the latest fires does not yet exist, as the fire in western Attica is still spreading, and satellite mapping is yet to be completed. The preliminary estimate for the large fire in southern Boeotia ranges between 4,000 and 5,000 hectares of affected area. On southern Crete, approximately:

• 4,000 hectares around Rethymno;
• another 760 hectares in the Preveli area have been recorded.

On Paros, in the Cyclades, a fire affected approximately 1,000 hectares. When these initial estimates are added up, only on Crete, Paros, and in part of Boeotia, approximately 9,700 to 10,700 hectares of land have been affected. This does not yet include the final consequences of the fires in western Attica, Phocis, Achaia, and other areas.

Animal rescue

In addition to firefighters, police, and emergency teams, in the area of western Attica, volunteers and animal protection organizations have been mobilized. The Greek National Mechanism for Animal Protection in Natural Disasters has been activated, and the organization Dogs’ Voice and other rescue teams are visiting yards, cottages, farms, and abandoned areas in search of trapped animals. According to the latest data released, at least 62 animals have been rescued - pets, abandoned dogs and cats, as well as domestic animals. A temporary reception center has been set up for them at the Vilia stadium. Unfortunately, animals that were unable to escape the fire were also found on roads and estates.

Arrests and possible causes of fires

In the first two days, 11 people were arrested, but the number does not end there. So far, around 30 people have been arrested for causing fires due to negligence and three people for intentional arson, with fines exceeding 70,000 euros.

For the fire on Paros, the mayor of the island, his deputy in charge of cleanliness, the contractor responsible for waste disposal, and a municipal worker were arrested. An investigation is ongoing to determine if the fire started from an illegal part of the landfill where waste and large amounts of dry branches were located, and whether the prescribed protective measures were taken. All four were later released, as the prosecution requested further investigation before any charges were filed.

In Rethymno, Crete, the head of the local electricity distribution network was arrested. According to one of the main versions of the investigation, an overloaded cable melted and produced sparks. His possible responsibility for network maintenance and failure to take necessary measures is being investigated. He was released to defend himself at liberty with a ban on leaving the country, and he denies the charges.

A man who set about 600 hectares of land on fire with an open flame was arrested on Kefalonia. He is a repeat offender who had already served a prison sentence for the same offense in 2014.

In Argolis, eastern Peloponnese, a 57-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman were arrested. According to the investigation results, they were performing agricultural work with a tractor equipped with a vegetation shredding machine, which produced sparks and caused a large fire.

Causes of fires in Boeotia and arrests

Three arrested for the major fire in Boeotia

The investigation into the cause of the fire has brought new details. Greek authorities placed three suspects in pretrial detention after nearly 20 hours of questioning.

• Pretrial detention: The mayor from Central Greece (whose company built the network), the contractor, and another company owner were placed in pretrial detention after 20 hours of questioning.
• Cause of the fire: The Fire Service investigation (DAEE) found that poor construction and malfunctions in a private medium-voltage electrical network caused sparking that ignited dry grass in Boeotia, and the wind spread the fire to Attica.
• Evidence from the field: Damage was found on the cables that existed before the fire. There were no traces of human involvement, cigarettes, or incendiary devices.

New details of the investigation: Chronology of failures and failure to clear vegetation

New findings from the investigation indicate that the entire project was characterized by a series of dangerous failures:

• Fresh project and chronological failures: The wind farm began delivering electricity to the grid only in June 2026, and the first fire occurred just five days later.
• Repeated fires on the same line: A fire had already broken out on the same power line on June 27, just a few hundred meters from where a large fire broke out now - and then the cause was related to construction defects in the network.
• Neglected vegetation under the lines: A vegetation protection strip (4 meters under the lines and 8 meters around the poles) was not cleared in accordance with regulations. Shockingly, this key safety task was not even included in the contract with the contractor, which is why the indictment has been expanded to include the wind farm owner.
• Shut down and securing evidence: The wind farm has been temporarily shut down to conduct a complete technical inspection of all lines, while the prosecution has ordered that the entire infrastructure and all evidence in the field be strictly secured so that nothing is altered during further investigation.

The most tragic toll in recent days is the death of three firefighters - two during the fire on Crete and one during the intervention on the Peloponnese and the crew of two helicopters that collided while extinguishing the fire.

Police foresight: How tragedy was avoided in Porto Germeno and Psatha

While the wildfire swallowed thousands of hectares, the evacuation of the villages of Porto Germeno and Psatha was surprisingly quick and without casualties. The reason for this is the almost unbelievable “visionary” preparation of the Greek police (EL.AS.). Learned from the tragic experience of Mati in 2018, police leaders identified a huge risk back in late 2025: Porto Germeno swarms with thousands of bathers in the summer, and narrow roads create traffic jams in which firefighting vehicles would get stuck.

• Although there hadn’t been a major fire in that area for 50 years, the police, without causing panic in the public, developed a detailed plan for evacuation by sea, installed a public address system for notification, and assigned constant patrols.

When the fire broke out, this system worked flawlessly and saved hundreds of lives.

Warnings for the coming days

The greatest danger still lies in very dry vegetation and strong winds. In such conditions, a spark from an agricultural machine, grinder, welding machine, power line, or an unextinguished cigarette can turn into an uncontrollable fire within minutes.

Residents and tourists are advised to follow announcements and, when the region is at high risk, to respect the following rules:

• do not light fires and barbecues outdoors,
• do not use machines that produce sparks, and
• immediately follow the instructions of the 112 service.

It is essential to reiterate that most of Greece is currently not at risk, and most resorts are operating normally. However, individuals in western Attica, southern Boeotia, or near other active fires should follow local announcements, avoid roads to the fire zones, and refrain from approaching the fire for photography or filming.

Important phone numbers

If you notice smoke or fire anywhere during your stay in Greece, act immediately: 199 - Direct line to the Greek fire service to report fires. 112 - European emergency number (the safest choice for tourists).

Why is 112 the best option in emergencies?

• It works even when you have no signal from your network or have no credit.
• Operators speak English and other world languages.
• Official SMS warnings and direct evacuation instructions are sent through this system to your phone.

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