Vehicle traffic in Keratea has now returned to normal after earlier disruptions caused by a wildfire in the area. Earlier in the day, authorities had implemented traffic diversions, including restrictions at the intersection of Agias Paraskevis and Metamorfoseos Streets, preventing vehicles from heading toward Porto Ennea. By early afternoon, the fire situation in Keratea had improved significantly, while in Ermioni, Argolida, no active fire fronts were reported.
Meanwhile, the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) issued a safety notice warning against the unauthorized use of drones in wildfire zones. The message, sent to more than 12,000 Greek and foreign drone operators, emphasized that flights in affected areas are strictly prohibited without prior approval and coordination with relevant authorities. Uncontrolled drone activity, the HCAA stressed, can hinder critical aerial firefighting efforts and put lives at risk.
Fire in Keratea
A wildfire broke out shortly after noon in low vegetation in the Porto Ennia area of Keratea.
On the scene are 25 firefighters with 11 vehicles, supported by two aircraft and a helicopter.
Achaia Counts the Damage – See Photos
Achaia is assessing the damage while the massive fire that reached the city of Patras is still burning. The blaze has left behind scorched buildings, destroyed vehicles, and large swaths of burnt forest. Firefighting crews continue their battle as many scattered hotspots remain.
- Burnt landscape in Achaia
- A truck reduced to ashes after the fire swept through
- Burned cars at the Patras Customs area
- A dog standing among charred trees
- A citizen rescuing a dog from the flames
- A shop engulfed by fire
Over 100,000 Acres Burned in Chios, Zakynthos, Preveza, and Kato Achaia
High-resolution satellite data collected over the affected areas on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 13, 2025, was analyzed by the team at meteo.gr / National Observatory of Athens, revealing the full extent of the damage caused by the recent wildfires in Chios, Zakynthos, Preveza, and Kato Achaia.
According to the analysis of satellite data from the European Copernicus EMS system, by 12:40 PM on Wednesday, August 13, approximately:
- 42,466 acres had burned in Chios,
- 22,941 acres in Zakynthos,
- 26,368 acres in Preveza, and
- 9,220 acres in Kato Achaia.
According to the latest information, there have been three arrests in total for arson in Achaea over the past 24 hours.
Among those arrested is a 19-year-old who reportedly confessed to starting the fire that broke out on Wednesday in the Sychaina area of Patras.
The same sources indicate that a 27-year-old has also been arrested in connection with the fire, though he currently denies any involvement.
According to police sources, the 19-year-old pointed out the location of the fire and explained how he and the 27-year-old moved around the area. There is also testimony from a woman who reportedly said, “I saw them throw a bottle.” During the subsequent investigation, a bottle containing what was likely a flammable substance was found, apparently thrown by one of the two suspects in a forested area.
For the 27-year-old, police reports indicate that a backpack was found in his possession when he approached the site of the fire in Sychaina. The backpack contained a lighter and a mobile phone.
On Wednesday evening, officers from the Patras Security Division had spotted the two young individuals on a motorcycle, which ultimately led to their arrest.
More Than 100,000 Acres Affected by Wildfires Across the Country
Drone footage has revealed the vast scale of destruction in northern Chios, where flames have scorched forests and farmland.
According to the morning update from Fire Service spokesperson Vasilis Varthakogiannis, firefighting efforts continue on multiple fronts. On Zakynthos, there is no longer an active fire front, with crews now dealing only with scattered hotspots. Three helicopters are assisting with aerial firefighting. In the Gymnotopos area, north of Filippiada, conditions are similar, with no active front but ongoing work to extinguish hotspots. Five aircraft and two helicopters are in use there, while heavy machinery is creating firebreaks on the outskirts of Filippiada to help secure the perimeter
In Achaia, the situation is more critical, with scattered flare-ups but also an active front between Keraias and Romanos. Five aircraft and six helicopters, including one coordinating the operation, are working to contain it. On Chios, the fire remains active in remote, rugged areas on both the northwest and northeast sides of the island, as well as near the settlement of Parparia, where two aircraft and six helicopters are deployed.
Elsewhere, the agricultural and forest fire that broke out earlier today in Xirochori, Ilia, has begun to subside. However, authorities warn that conditions remain dangerous, with a very high risk of wildfires forecast for most regions of the country today.
In Patras (Achaia), crews are dealing with numerous scattered hotspots after a massive overnight blaze. The large fire front—over one kilometer wide on Wednesday night—has broken up into smaller, more manageable areas, though flare-ups remain a threat. Residents in several neighborhoods, including Aroi, Diakou, Girokomeio, Lykohoro, Souli, Riganokampos, and Eglykada, were urged via emergency alerts to evacuate toward the city center. Aerial photos captured on Wednesday night showed a dramatic scene: the city illuminated in the distance while lines of flames burned across the surrounding hillsides.
A 25-year-old man has been arrested in connection with arson in Patras, as arson investigation teams examine footage, photos, and witness testimonies from affected areas.
In Chios, the situation has improved after an intense overnight battle, though the fire front remains active in the mountainous and hard-to-reach area of Kipouries. Strong winds of 5–6 Beaufort continue to hinder ground crews. Deputy Regional Governor Pantelis Mpournias reported extensive destruction: homes, businesses, fuel stations, beach bars, farmland, and livestock have been lost. He estimates the burned area to be nearly three times larger than the island’s June wildfire. Drones are being used to monitor the fire’s movement and guide firefighting operations.
In Zakynthos, Preveza, and Arta, fires have eased after causing severe damage to forests, farmland, olive groves, livestock facilities, and homes. Many affected areas remain without electricity and water, with crews working to restore services. In Preveza and Arta, residents of several villages were evacuated due to flare-ups, and hundreds of volunteers have joined forces with firefighters to bring the blazes under control. Prosecutors in Ioannina have ordered an investigation into the possibility of coordinated arson, as multiple fires broke out simultaneously yesterday morning.
The General Secretariat for Civil Protection warns that fire danger remains very high in several parts of the country today, Thursday, August 14, due to hot, dry, and windy conditions. Over 100,000 stremmata (10,000 hectares) of land have been affected by wildfires nationwide so far this season.
The European Union has pledged assistance through the RescEU mechanism for Greece, Montenegro, and Spain, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
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