Fire investigators in Greece believe a wildfire that broke out early Monday, August 10, 2026, in Kouvaras started at electricity distribution poles belonging to DEDDIE, the Greek Public Power Corporation's grid operator.
According to initial findings gathered by officers from Greece's Directorate for Combating Arson Crimes, known as DAEE, strong winds blowing through the area caused significant oscillation in the network's cables. The cables came into contact with each other, producing sparks that fell onto dry grass and set off the fire.
According to information given to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency by sources close to the investigation, three residents of the area said they saw sparks coming from cables on a low-voltage pole near an abandoned poultry farm, which was ultimately destroyed by the fire.
A DAEE team that went to the site found clear evidence on the pole confirming that a fire had indeed started there, attributed to the cables swinging in the strong wind. The cables were not twisted together but hung loose, which is why the wind was able to bring them into contact with one another.
Following that finding, the area was sealed off and placed under guard. Investigators said the standard procedure for such cases would proceed as normal the following day, with the pole and other materials seized and an expert carrying out an on-site examination to scientifically document the evidence for the case file to be sent to the prosecutor.
Poultry farm destroyed, residents evacuated
The sparks set fire to dry grass at the base of the pole, and the blaze quickly grew in size because of the strong winds. The fire went on to destroy the facilities of a poultry farming unit near the settlement of Agios Stylianos. Two emergency alerts were sent through the 112 system during the morning ordering residents of the area to leave.
Nationwide investigation into wind farms
At the same time, authorities are carrying out an investigation into wind farms across all of Greece in connection with the large fire in Boeotia, following an order from prosecutors to DAEE.
According to fire service sources, the investigation aims to establish whether any criminal offenses have been committed in relation to wind farm installations throughout the country.
The prosecutorial order was prompted by the large fire in Boeotia, which is already the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation, combined with other incidents of fires breaking out at wind farm installations, the sources said. The Boeotia fire spread over a large area and caused serious damage, which led to the decision to extend the investigation to similar installations nationwide.
What will be examined at the wind farms
As part of the preliminary inquiry, DAEE will investigate whether wind power plants are operating on Greek territory without the required permits.
Investigators will also examine whether the facilities meet the required technical specifications governing their installation, maintenance and operation. Particular attention will be given to wind farms that have previously drawn the attention of authorities because of fire incidents.
To gather the necessary evidence, investigators will seek information from other relevant authorities and services, and expert examinations and other investigative steps will be carried out where deemed necessary. The goal is to determine whether all required technical and administrative requirements are being met and whether any criminal liability arises, according to the sources.
