Raging Wildfires Force Evacuations Near Athens and Devastate Greek Island of Chios
- Victor Nwoko
- Jun 27
- 3 min read
A fast-moving forest fire erupted east of Athens on Thursday, destroying homes, forcing the evacuation of five villages, and intensifying Greece’s ongoing wildfire crisis amid soaring summer temperatures and strong winds.
The blaze ignited around 12:30 p.m. local time near the coastal towns of Palaia Fokaia and Thymari, located approximately 30 miles from central Athens. Firefighters reported that dozens of residents were evacuated as flames spread through the popular tourist region, known for its beaches and holiday homes owned by both Greek citizens and foreign visitors.
Fire service spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakogiannis confirmed that over 130 firefighters, supported by volunteers, were battling the fire on the ground. A fleet of approximately a dozen helicopters and planes was deployed to douse the flames from above.
“This is a difficult fire fueled by strong winds,” a fire official noted, while union leader Kostas Tsiguas added that at least 50 people had been evacuated so far.
The situation was described as “dramatic” by the deputy mayor of Palaia Fokaia, Stavros Petropoulos. He stated that residents in the area believed the fire may have started due to a spark from a faulty electric cable.
Authorities closed the main coastal highway linking Athens to Cape Sounion to facilitate emergency operations. Temperatures in the region reached 40°C (104°F) on Thursday, with the heatwave expected to last through Saturday. Greek firefighters reported that 45 wildfires had ignited across the country in the past 24 hours alone.
Meanwhile, the island of Chios remains in a state of emergency as a massive wildfire continues to rage for the fifth consecutive day. More than 10,000 acres of forest and farmland have already been consumed since the blaze broke out near the island's main town.
By Tuesday morning, 444 firefighters with 85 vehicles, 11 helicopters, and two water-dropping planes were deployed to combat the multiple fire fronts on Chios. Images from the island show towering flames engulfing landscapes while thick smoke billows across the sky.
Evacuation orders have been issued for several villages and settlements since Sunday. The Greek fire department has also launched an arson investigation to determine whether the fires were deliberately set.
“We are dealing with simultaneous fires in multiple, geographically separate locations—this cannot be considered a coincidence,” Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Giannis Kefalogiannis stated during a visit to Chios. He confirmed that authorities are seriously investigating the possibility of coordinated arson.
To bolster security, police forces and military patrols on the island have been reinforced. “Arson is a serious crime and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent,” Kefalogiannis warned.
Greece has become increasingly vulnerable to wildfires in recent years, with a rise in extreme summer conditions linked to climate change. Drought, heatwaves, and high winds continue to create a volatile environment, making firefighting efforts more dangerous and complex across the nation.
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