Greece wildfires force Athens suburb evacuation as heat fuels flames
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A wildfire near Athens prompted evacuations in Kryoneri as extreme heat and winds intensified blazes across Greece.
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A helicopter drops water during a wildfire in the northwestern suburb of Kryoneri, in Athens, Greece, on July 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
A wildfire tore through a northern suburb of Athens on Saturday, prompting emergency evacuations as extreme heat and strong winds worsened conditions. The fire service in Greece reported that residents in Kryoneri, located approximately 20 kilometers north-east of the capital, were instructed to leave their homes.
Vassilis Vathrakoyannis, spokesperson for the fire service, stated that residents received three SMS alerts urging them to move to safer areas. Greek media broadcast images of homes engulfed in flames, though full damage assessments remain pending.
“There have been reports of damages. We will take stock when the fires have been put out,” Vathrakoyannis said.
🔥🚨 Out of control fire in Koropi, Athens in Greece...pic.twitter.com/o43D6H7ddY
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) July 4, 2025
Authorities responded swiftly, deploying 145 firefighters, 44 fire engines, 10 firefighting planes, and seven helicopters to contain the blaze. The fire’s cause remains unknown.
Emergency medical services treated at least five individuals, mainly elderly residents suffering from respiratory issues.
Greece has officially requested six firefighting aircraft from the European Union’s civil protection mechanism. The deployment of aerial units is critical, as firefighting planes and helicopters can only operate during daylight hours.
“The real difficulties are ahead of us,” Vathrakoyannis warned, citing ongoing high-risk conditions.
High temperatures and winds drive wildfire spread
Wildfires across the country are being exacerbated by soaring temperatures, exceeding 38°C, along with dry conditions and strong winds. Vathrakoyannis explained that under such weather, wildfires “expand very quickly and become dangerous.”
These climate conditions are expected to persist in the coming days.
In addition to the Kryoneri fire, the fire service is managing three other significant wildfires in the south-west of the country. Fires have ignited on Greece’s two largest islands, Crete and Evia, as well as on Kythera, located north-west of Crete.
A total of 335 firefighters, 19 aircraft, and 13 helicopters have been mobilized for these operations. In the past 24 hours alone, 52 wildfires have erupted across Greece, according to fire service data.
Beyond Greece, a large wildfire erupted in southern France on Saturday, forcing evacuations in the Aude region near the Mediterranean coast. Strong winds fueled the fire, which broke out earlier in the afternoon and quickly spread, consuming approximately 600 hectares (1,500 acres) of land.
Local officials confirmed the evacuation of two campgrounds and several homes. The blaze destroyed two houses, and authorities converted a gymnasium into a temporary shelter. Residents of about ten evacuated homes were later permitted to return.
The forest fire in Corinthia, Greece is out of control....🔥pic.twitter.com/vaZHmD2n6D
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) July 22, 2025
Rémi Recio, the deputy prefect of Aude, stated that around 630 firefighters and roughly a dozen planes were battling the flames. Three firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation.
This incident comes less than a month after a major fire in the same region scorched 2,100 hectares (5,200 acres) near Narbonne, mobilizing 1,000 firefighters.
