Wildfire burns through northern suburb of Athens as residents told to evacuate
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Devastating Wildfire Engulfs Northern Athens Suburb, Urgent Evacuations Ordered for Residents
A wildfire near Athens prompted evacuations in Kryoneri, with firefighters battling multiple blazes. With temperatures soaring above 38°C, dry conditions, and strong winds, the risk of further wildfires remains high. The ongoing wildfires in Greece serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for global action on climate change and disaster preparedness. As wildfires become more frequent, how can nations better equip themselves to handle such crises? Consider these points:Increasing international cooperation for firefighting resources.Investing in preventative measures and community awareness.
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A wildfire has devastated a northern suburb of Athens, Greece, prompting urgent evacuations. On July 26, 2025, the Greek fire service reported that residents of Kryoneri, located 12.5 miles northeast of the capital, received multiple SMS alerts to evacuate to safer areas.
6 Key Takeaways Wildfire in northern Athens suburb.
Residents ordered to evacuate Kryoneri.
Firefighting efforts involve 145 firefighters.
High temperatures and winds worsen conditions.
Greece requests EU firefighting planes.
Multiple wildfires reported across the country.
As flames engulf homes, firefighters are battling the blaze with limited resources. Fire service spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakoyannis expressed concern over the escalating situation, stating, “The real difficulties are ahead of US.” With temperatures soaring above 38°C, dry conditions, and strong winds, the risk of further wildfires remains high.
Fast Answer: Greece faces a severe wildfire crisis, with multiple blazes threatening communities and prompting evacuations, highlighting the growing challenge of climate change and its global implications.
This alarming situation raises questions about preparedness and response to natural disasters. As wildfires become more frequent, how can nations better equip themselves to handle such crises? Consider these points:
Increasing international cooperation for firefighting resources.
Investing in preventative measures and community awareness.
Understanding the long-term impacts of climate change on wildfire frequency.
The ongoing wildfires in Greece serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for global action on climate change and disaster preparedness.
As the situation unfolds, it is crucial for governments and communities worldwide to collaborate on strategies that mitigate the risks of wildfires and protect vulnerable populations.
Wildfire burns through Athens suburb as residents told to evacuate
Residents of Kryoneri, 12.5 miles northeast of Athens, received three SMS messages to evacuate to safe areas. 145 firefighters and 44 fire engines, 10 firefighting planes and seven helicopters are attempting to put out the fire. Four ambulances are treating at least five people, most of them elderly, for respiratory problems. At least 335 firefighters, 19 planes and 13 helicopters are involved, but can only operate in daylight.
Greek media have shown houses on fire. The spokesman said “there have been reports of damage. We will take stock when the fires have been put out”.
“The real difficulties are ahead of us,” Mr Vathrakoyannis said, adding that Greece has asked for six firefighting planes from the European Union’s civil protection mechanism.
A house burns in Kryoneri (Yorgos Karahalis/AP)
On site, 145 firefighters and 44 fire engines, 10 firefighting planes and seven helicopters are attempting to put out the fire, the origin of which is unknown.
Four ambulances are treating at least five people, most of them elderly, for respiratory problems.
Temperatures reaching, or exceeding, 38C, dry conditions and high winds are fanning the flames.
Under such conditions wildfires “expand very quickly and become dangerous. These conditions are expected to prevail over the coming days”, Mr Vathrakoyannis said.
The fire service is also dealing with three other major fires in the southwest on Greece’s two largest islands, Crete in the south and Evia north of Athens, and also on the island of Kythera, northwest of Crete.
At least 335 firefighters, 19 planes and 13 helicopters are involved, but can only operate in daylight.
Fifty-two wildfires broke out across the country over the past 24 hours, the spokesman said.
Wildfires, many of them destructive, have become a common occurrence in Greece in recent years. Several have broken out in the past month.
Huge wildfires spreads across Athens and two popular Greek islands as thousands are evacuated
At least 335 firefighters, 19 planes and 13 helicopters are battling to tackle the fires. At least 52 wildfires broke out across the country over the past 24 hours. Strong winds are causing the fire to spread rapidly and prompting evacuations of several settlements. Temperatures in Greece were forecast to reach up to 44 degrees Celsius on Saturday, the Greek weather service said. Wildfires, many of them destructive, have become a common occurrence in Greece in recent years. The country is in an area dubbed “a wildfire hotspot” by scientists, with blazes common during hot and dry summers. In Turkey, the government declared two western provinces in the country to be “disaster zones” as massive blazes continue to rip through the country. The fires broke out in Adana and Mina on Friday, and broke out on Adana on Friday night. In total, at least 13 people died in the fires, which have been fanned by strong winds and dry conditions in the area. In Greece, the fires have been dubbed a “truly great disaster”
BLAZE BATTLE Huge wildfires spreads across Athens and two popular Greek islands as thousands are evacuated
MASSIVE wildfires have erupted in Greece after a week-long heatwave peaked with temperatures surpassing 45 degrees.
Thousands of people have reportedly been evacuated as fires swept villages near Athens and other Greek islands.
9 Smoke and flame rise as firefighting teams respond from the air and on the ground to a forest fire that broke out in Krioneri near Athens, Greece Credit: Getty
9 Firefighters try to extinguish flames as a wildfire burns Credit: Reuters
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9 Local residents try to extinguish the fire of a burning house during a wildfire near Athens Credit: AFP
A wildfire burned through a northern suburb of the Greek capital on Saturday, and some residents were ordered to evacuate, the country’s Fire Service reported.
Residents of the town of Kryoneri, some 12 miles northeast of Athens, received three SMS messages to evacuate to safe areas.
While residents of the nearby village of Krioneri were instructed by authorities to evacuate.
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Explosions could be heard as huge clouds of smoke covered Drosopigi village, 15 miles north of Athens, where factories with flammable material are located.
Helicopters dropped water, and 65 firefighters battled the flames, assisted by 26 vehicles and two aircraft.
Fire service is also dealing with three other major fires in the southwest of Greece’s two largest islands, Crete in the south and Evia.
At least 335 firefighters, 19 planes and 13 helicopters are involved, but can only operate in daylight, authorities revealed.
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In total, 52 wildfires broke out across the country over the past 24 hours, a spokesman for the fire department said.
Strong winds are causing the fire to spread rapidly and prompting evacuations of several settlements.
On the island of Evia, 115 firefighters and 24 vehicles were deployed to put out fires, assisted by six aircraft and seven helicopters, but strong winds were hampering their efforts.
Moment Brit expats tour smouldering shell of Cyprus home they fled as deadly wildfires hit
Residents of the island’s Triada area were told to be ready in case they needed to leave.
The fire on Evia is the latest in a series of bushfires stoked by strong winds and dry conditions this month.
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On the island of Kythera, authorities evacuated the villages of Aroniadika, Pitsinades and Aryoi.
In the area of Messinia, west of Athens, residents of the Kryoneri and Sellas villages were also told to leave.
These sites were on a list of Greek regions on high alert for wildfires due to record-breaking temperatures and strong winds due on Saturday.
Temperatures in Greece were forecast to reach up to 44 degrees Celsius on Saturday, the Greek weather service said.
Wildfires, many of them destructive, have become a common occurrence in Greece in recent years.
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Several fires broke out in the past month.
Greece and other Mediterranean countries are in an area dubbed “a wildfire hotspot” by scientists, with blazes common during hot and dry summers.
9 Smoke and flame rise as firefighting teams respond from the air and on the ground to a forest fire that broke out in Krioneri near Athens Credit: Getty
9 A forest fire that broke out in Krioneri near Athens, Greece on July 26, 2025 Credit: Getty
9 A helicopter drops water on a burning house during a wildfire in Kryoneri Credit: AFP
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9 Smoke covers the sky during a wildfire, in the northwestern suburb of Kryoneri Credit: AP
These have become more destructive in recent years.
Some 1,500 people were evacuated after raging wildfires spread across Crete earlier this month.
The night sky turned orange as the burning blazes left a trail of destruction on the popular island.
Evacuations were ordered at three sites outside the port of Ierapetra on the island’s south coast, authorities said.
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Homes were reportedly damaged as flames swept through hillside forests, fanned by strong winds.
Meanwhile, devastating wildfires have again erupted in Turkey, with hundreds of people evacuated as massive blazes continue to rip through the country.
Presidetn Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned of a “truly great disaster” after at least 13 people died in the fatal fires.
New wildfires broke out on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast on Friday, as the government declared two western provinces in the country to be “disaster zones”.
East of Antalya, fires broke out in Adana and Mersin on Friday.
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Elsewhere in the country, firefighters continued battling blazes in Eskisehir and nearby Karabuk that have been raging for several days.
Meanwhile, Cyprus has been hit with its worst wildfires “for 50 years” amid growing fears a 44°C heatwave will fuel the blaze even further.
The country has plunged into chaos after two people were burnt alive and more than 70 houses were destroyed.
9 A wildfire rages across a forested area near Cavuslar village, in Karabuk district, northwest Turkey Credit: AP
9 A view of smoke rising from a forest fire burning in the mountainous area in Turkey Credit: Getty
Athens suburb residents told to evacuate as wildfires in Greece spread
Greek official says ‘real difficulties’ ahead as dry conditions and high temperatures are expected to persist. Residents of the town of Kryoneri, 20km (12.5 miles) northeast of Athens, received three text messages on Saturday to leave for safe areas. Four ambulances are treating at least five residents, most of them elderly with respiratory problems. At least 335 firefighters, 19 planes and 13 helicopters are involved, but can only operate in daylight. In total, 52 wildfires broke out across the country over the past 24 hours, the Fire Service said.
A wildfire has burned through a northern suburb of the Greek capital of Athens, leading to the evacuation of some residents, the country’s Fire Service has reported.
Residents of the town of Kryoneri, 20km (12.5 miles) northeast of Athens, received three text messages on Saturday to leave for safe areas, Fire Service spokesman Vassilis Vathrakoyannis told reporters.
“There have been reports of damage. We will take stock when the fires have been put out,” the spokesperson said.
Greek media outlets showed houses on fire.
“The real difficulties are ahead of us,” Vathrakoyannis said, adding that Greece has asked for six firefighting planes from the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism.
On site, 145 firefighters and 44 fire engines, 10 firefighting planes and seven helicopters are attempting to put out the fire, whose origin is unknown. Four ambulances are treating at least five residents, most of them elderly with respiratory problems.
Temperatures reaching, or exceeding, 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit), dry conditions and high winds are fanning the flames.
Under such conditions, which are expected to persist in the coming days, wildfires “expand very quickly and become dangerous”, Vathrakoyannis said.
The fire service is also dealing with three other major fires in the southwest of Greece’s two largest islands — Crete in the south and Evia north of Athens — as well as on the island of Kythera, northwest of Crete.
At least 335 firefighters, 19 planes and 13 helicopters are involved, but can only operate in daylight. In total, 52 wildfires broke out across the country over the past 24 hours, the spokesperson said.
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Wildfires, many of them very destructive, have become a common occurrence in Greece in recent years. Several have broken out in the past month.
Heatwaves and dry conditions, which scientists link to climate change, have become more frequent across the world in recent years.
Last month, temperatures reached as high as 42 degrees Celsius (107 degrees Fahrenheit) during a heatwave in southern Europe.
“With climate change leading to warmer temperatures and drier conditions and the increasing urbanization of rural areas, the fire season is starting earlier and ending later,” the World Health Organisation (WHO) says.
“Wildfire events are getting more extreme in terms of acres burned, duration and intensity, and they can disrupt transportation, communications, water supply, and power and gas services. “
Wildfire burns through northern suburb of Athens as residents told to evacuate
Residents of the town of Kryoneri, 12.5 miles (20km) north-east of Athens, received three SMS messages to evacuate to safe areas. 145 firefighters and 44 fire engines, 10 firefighting planes and seven helicopters are attempting to put out the fire, the origin of which is unknown. Four ambulances were treating at least five residents, most of them elderly with respiratory problems. In total, 52 wildfires broke out across the country over the past 24 hours, fire service spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakoyannis said. The fire comes less than a month after the Aude region was hit by a major blaze that swept through 2,100 hectares (5,200 acres) near Narbonne.
Residents of the town of Kryoneri, 12.5 miles (20km) north-east of Athens, received three SMS messages to evacuate to safe areas, fire service spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakoyannis told reporters.
Greek media have shown houses on fire. Vathrakoyannis said: “There have been reports of damages. We will take stock when the fires have been put out.”
“The real difficulties are ahead of us,” he said, adding that Greece has asked for six firefighting planes from the European Union’s civil protection mechanism.
On site, 145 firefighters and 44 fire engines, 10 firefighting planes and seven helicopters were attempting to put out the fire, the origin of which is unknown. Four ambulances were treating at least five residents, most of them elderly with respiratory problems.
Temperatures reaching, or exceeding, 38C, dry conditions and high winds are fanning the flames.
Vathrakoyannis said that under such conditions wildfires “expand very quickly and become dangerous. These conditions are expected to prevail over the coming days.”
The fire service is also dealing with three other major fires in the south-west on Greece’s two largest islands – Crete in the south and Evia north of Athens – and also on the island of Kythera, north-west of Crete. At least 335 firefighters, 19 planes and 13 helicopters are involved, but can only operate in daylight. In total, 52 wildfires broke out across the country over the past 24 hours, Vathrakoyannis said.
Wildfires, many of them destructive, have become a common occurrence in Greece in recent years. Several have broken out in the past month.
A fire also hit the south of France late on Saturday, spreading towards a beach resort and forcing the evacuation of two campgrounds and some local housing.
Driven by strong winds, the fire in the Aude region on the Mediterranean coast near the Spanish border had already burned through 600 hectares (1,500 acres) after breaking out earlier in the afternoon, local officials said.
Some 630 firefighters backed by about a dozen planes were battling the fire, according to Aude’s deputy prefect Rémi Recio.
Flames destroyed two houses and officials converted a gymnasium into a shelter, although the residents of about 10 evacuated houses were later allowed to return home.
Three firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation.
The fire comes less than a month after the Aude region was hit by a major blaze that swept through 2,100 hectares (5,200 acres) near Narbonne, mobilising 1,000 firefighters.