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Scattered fires in Kryoneri – First aerial units deployed: Euboea, Messinia, Kythira, and Crete among the toughest fronts (updated)

Strong firefighting forces on the spot - Strong winds hamper the work of the Fire Brigade - Which settlements have been evacuated

Newsroom July 26 03:19

Evia: Authorities have imposed traffic restrictions on two provincial roads due to a large wildfire raging between Triada and Pissona in the Dirfys–Messapia municipality. Traffic has been suspended:

  • On the Nea Artaki–Kymi provincial road, from Vatontas to the Pissona junction.
  • On the riverside Afrati–Pissona road, from the Afrati junction to the Pissona junction.

Drivers are advised to follow alternative routes and adhere to instructions from traffic police to ensure safety.

Meanwhile, the situation remains critical across multiple regions of Greece as wildfires continue to burn unchecked, fueled by high winds and prolonged drought.

Kythera: Villages Evacuated, Historic Monastery Threatened

A massive forest fire is spreading rapidly on the island of Kythera, originating in the Pitsinades area. Thick smoke has blanketed much of the island, creating choking conditions and severely reducing visibility.

Evacuation orders have been issued via the 112 emergency system for the villages of Aroniadika, Mylopotamos, and Kato Chora. Particular concern surrounds the Monastery of Saint Kosmas in Xerolaki, a site of significant cultural and religious importance, now under imminent threat.

Ground and volunteer forces are battling the flames with support from aerial units.

Peloponnese: Fires Burn Across Messinia and Laconia

Three active fronts are burning in the Peloponnese, straining fire services in Messinia and Laconia.

  • Aetos, Messinia: A large blaze broke out in forestland but was kept away from the village due to rapid deployment of both ground and aerial firefighting forces. The fire remains active and efforts are ongoing to contain it before sunset.
  • Kryoneri: Water-dropping aircraft began operations early Sunday to tackle flames in low vegetation. The rugged terrain is hampering ground access, but there is currently no threat to homes.
  • Molai, Laconia: A wildfire in the Molai area continues to burn agricultural and forest land. Strong winds are complicating efforts, and firefighting teams remain on high alert.

Northern Evia: Flames Cross Natural Barrier, Approach Afrati

A wildfire in northern Evia has crossed a river that had previously acted as a natural firebreak and is now moving toward Afrati. Dramatic footage shows flames leaping across the water under the force of strong winds and extreme dryness.

Residents remain on edge as the blaze continues its destructive march, darkening the sky and reflecting eerie orange glows across the river surface.

Nationwide Situation at Dawn

As of early Sunday:

  • In Drosopigi and Kryoneri, there are no active fronts, but flare-ups persist.
  • In Messinia, a fire front expanded overnight, nearing Aetos village. It is currently under partial control.
  • In Asvestopetra, Ptolemaida, concerns rose due to gusty winds and erratic fire behavior.
  • In Chania, Crete, fires remain active, but wind conditions have improved.

Fire services across Greece remain in full deployment, with reinforcements, volunteers, and aerial support working tirelessly to contain the flames.

The atmosphere in Kryoneri is tense, almost like a war zone, as the large wildfire continues to burn. Residents are fighting to save their homes using garden hoses, while explosions can be heard in the area.

As night falls, the wind has started to die down, and the fire seems to be less intense, according to reporters from protothema.gr on the scene, as well as local residents.

The Fire Service still considers the blaze active, with efforts now focused on preventing it from reaching the nearby Parnitha National Park.

“Houses have burned. The explosions are coming from factories, and maybe from boilers in homes that have already caught fire further down,” one resident told protothema.gr.

Vathrakogiannis: “The hardest days are still ahead”

Fire Department spokesperson Vasilis Vathrakogiannis spoke about the wildfires currently burning across the country during a public briefing.

He stressed that “all the fires in recent days have grown significantly and are very dangerous. These conditions are expected to continue in the coming days, which is why Greece has requested assistance from the European Civil Protection Mechanism to provide six firefighting aircraft.”

He also warned that “the hardest days are still ahead of us.”

 

Wildfires are currently burning in Attica, Evia, Kythera, and Messinia, with strong winds in all four areas making firefighting efforts extremely difficult. Dozens of villages have received evacuation alerts via the 112 emergency system, including Kryoneri in Attica, where residents are being urged to leave.

The atmosphere in Attica is filled with smoke, creating suffocating conditions. Authorities had already warned of an extreme fire risk for today in these regions, according to the Civil Protection fire danger map.

Three wildfires are currently burning in Messinia, Evia, and Kythera.

Φωτιές σε Εύβοια, Μεσσηνία και Κύθηρα - Μπαράζ μηνυμάτων από το 112 για εκκενώσεις οικισμών

Firefighters are working hard to put out the flames, but strong winds are making their job difficult. People in some areas are being evacuated after emergency alerts were sent out by text message from 112.

Evia: Forest Fire Near Triada

A fire started in a forest near the Triada area in the municipality of Dirfyon-Messapion in Evia.
Just before 2:30 PM, a message was sent to nearby residents asking them to be ready in case they needed to leave.

More than 60 firefighters are working in the area, with:

  • Two ground teams (20 people each)
  • 18 fire trucks
  • Volunteers
  • One helicopter
  • Two firefighting planes

Water trucks and equipment from local authorities are also helping.

Smoke from the fire can be seen from Marathon and Varnavas.

Messinia: Fires Near Polythea – Evacuations Ordered

A fire broke out earlier today in the Polythea area of Messinia. The flames spread quickly, and authorities acted fast.
At 1:00 PM, people in Kryoneri were told to evacuate. Shortly after 2:00 PM, a new alert told residents of Sellas to also leave the area.

 

Firefighting forces include:

  • 45 firefighters
  • A hiking team from the 9th EMODE unit
  • 15 fire trucks
  • One helicopter
  • Seven aircraft

Water trucks and local machinery are also being used in the effort.

Kythera: Fires in Pitsinades – Three Villages Evacuated

A large fire is burning in an area with farmland and forest near Pitsinades on Kythera island.
By 1:30 PM, residents of Aroniadika, Pitsinades, and Aryoi were told to evacuate.

Emergency messages from 112 instructed people to move toward:

  • Livadi (if in Aryoi)
  • Aroniadika (if in Pitsinades)
  • Frilingianika (if in Aroniadika)

In total, 28 firefighters are on the scene with:

  • A hiking team from the 9th EMODE
  • 6 fire trucks
  • Volunteers
  • One helicopter
  • Two planes

Additionally, seven more firefighters from the 6th EMODE are traveling by ferry from Neapoli, Laconia, to help.

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