A wildfire tearing through Western Attica has drawn nearly 500 firefighters, including European reinforcements from France and Romania, as authorities issued new emergency evacuation orders for communities approaching the city of Megara.
Two consecutive alerts sent through the Greek 112 emergency system directed residents of Agia Skepi and Kandyli to move toward Nea Peramos, and those in the Megara Industrial Area to move toward Megara itself. Separate alerts also called for evacuations from Toutoulis, Nea Dafni, Peukeneai and Agios Sarantis in the Western Attica regional unit.
Two Active Fronts
Firefighting forces are concentrated on two main directions. One front is advancing northeast toward Agios Nektarios and Kryo Pigadi. The second is moving southwest toward the Megara firing range and Kandyli.
At first light, flames also spread toward the Agia Triada area, bringing the fire within a few kilometres of Megara. Crews are working to prevent the blaze from reaching residential and industrial zones, where continuous vegetation and large quantities of dry fuel are in its path.
The proximity of the fire to the Megara firing range is causing particular concern. Explosions were heard during operations, creating additional hazards for ground crews and hindering safe access to the area.
Ground and Air Forces
A total of 496 firefighters are deployed across Attica and Boeotia, supported by 22 infantry units drawn from the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 10th, and 18th EMODE groups, along with volunteers and 134 fire vehicles.
Among the forces are 23 French firefighters with four vehicles and 23 Romanian firefighters with four vehicles, both contingents operating in Greece under a European firefighter pre-positioning programme.
At first light, four fixed-wing aircraft and four helicopters began water drops, with a fifth helicopter used for aerial coordination. Strong winds, which reached force 6 and 7 on the Beaufort scale in some areas, are complicating aerial operations. Crews faced severe turbulence, and in several instances water collection and drops could not be carried out safely, shifting the main burden of the battle to ground forces.
A slight easing of wind during the day is considered critical to the operation's progress, though even a reduction in spread speed leaves a high risk of rekindling across the large burned area.
Supporting the firefighting effort are water tankers and machinery from the Attica and Central Greece regions, the Deucalion team, the Construction and Disaster Management Command, the Hellenic Police, EKAV ambulance service, and the Armed Forces. Buses are also on standby for civilian evacuations.
Evacuations and Rescues
Since the fire broke out, a series of 112 alerts has been issued covering dozens of communities across Boeotia and Western Attica. Residents have been evacuated from Porto Germeno, Psatha, Veniza, Alepochori, Loumpa, Zachouli and other settlements. The latest orders for Agia Skepi, Kandyli and the Megara Industrial Area mark the threat's shift closer to Megara and Nea Peramos.
Authorities are urging residents to follow only the routes specified in 112 messages and not to attempt to return to evacuated areas. Dense smoke, constant wind shifts and the risk of new ignitions make unsupervised movement dangerous.
During operations in Veniza, an elderly couple had to be rescued after flames reached the courtyard of their home. Both were taken to safety and reported to be in good health.
Scale of Destruction
The fire has caused widespread damage to homes, vehicles, crops and forest land. Initial estimates from local government representatives put the number of houses destroyed or damaged in the wider Porto Germeno area at more than 100. Homes in Veniza have also burned or suffered serious damage, and large stretches of the Kithairon pine forest have been reduced to ash.
Newer estimates place the total area affected by the blaze at more than 100,000 stremmata, a scale corresponding to the term mega-fire. The most recent high-resolution satellite data from the National Observatory of Athens, covering midday Saturday before the fire's further expansion toward Veniza and Megara, recorded approximately 66,600 burned stremmata: 30,900 in Boeotia and 35,700 in Porto Germeno. The final figure is expected to be significantly larger. State aid teams are expected to reach affected zones once operational conditions allow.
Other Fires
The situation in Aegaleia has improved, though firefighting there is not complete. Around 100 firefighters, four infantry units and 30 vehicles remain in the field, with two helicopters making drops on active spots.
In Skaloma, Fokida, 64 firefighters with two units and 15 vehicles are operating, supported by three aircraft and one helicopter. Active fronts there are centred on Pigi and Klima, and damage to homes and infrastructure has been recorded.
On the island of Kefalonia, a fire that broke out late Saturday night at Pastra remains active but has improved compared to its early hours. No immediate threat to residential areas is being reported. Forty-eight firefighters, infantry units and 11 vehicles are deployed, along with two aircraft and one helicopter. During the night, evacuation orders were issued for seven areas and tourists were moved from hotels in Katelios. One person has been arrested on suspicion of arson, and a preliminary investigation is under way.
