update: Wildfire in recession, firefighters battle scattered hotspots

The situation has improved regarding the wildfire that broke out yesterday on Paros, according to the latest update from the Fire Brigade. Authorities said the fire no longer has a single active front; however, firefighting forces continue to tackle scattered hotspots and pockets of smoke across various areas of the affected region.

Strong ground and aerial firefighting forces remain deployed, continuing suppression operations and carrying out repeated water drops to prevent flare-ups. Authorities remain on high alert, as strong winds are still affecting the area, increasing the risk of the fires reigniting.

The relevant authorities are continuously monitoring developments, aiming for the full containment and extinguishing of the wildfire. Firefighting crews will remain in the area for as long as deemed necessary.

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Key developments

• The wildfire continues burning for a second day, with one of the main fronts advancing toward Tripiti.
• The following areas have been evacuated so far:
  • Tripiti
  • Glyfa
  • Pirgaki
  • Aspro Chorio
  • Agkairia
  • Agios Charalambos
  • Kampi
  • Bougados
  • Aneratza
  • Kamari
• High wildfire risk remains in effect across Paros today.
• Twenty additional firefighters and eight fire engines are traveling from Rafina to reinforce crews on the island.
• Smoke from the fire has been visible as far away as Ios, Sifnos, and Serifos.
• The Mayor of Paros warned that winds are expected to strengthen from midday onward.
• The island’s Deputy Mayor for Civil Protection said some residents had to be forcibly evacuated because they refused to leave their homes.

09:09 – Fire Moving Toward Faragas and Tripiti; Reports of Damage to Homes

The wildfire is advancing in two directions, with one front heading toward Faragas Beach and another toward Tripiti.

Officials say the front moving toward Faragas is considered more favorable because it is progressing toward the sea.

Meanwhile, there are reports that homes have been damaged in Agkairia, although no official assessment has yet been released.

08:31 – Firefighters Continue Major Ground Operation

Firefighting crews remain engaged in a large-scale operation to contain the blaze across the island.

08:25 – Reinforcements Depart Rafina

Additional firefighting personnel and equipment departed from the port of Rafina bound for Paros.

07:42 – Morning Image Shows Ongoing Fire

Morning photographs from Paros show smoke continuing to rise from the affected areas.

07:33 – High Wildfire Risk Remains

For Wednesday, July 29, Paros has been placed in Category 3 (High Risk) on Greece’s Wildfire Risk Forecast Map.

Authorities remain on heightened alert until the fire is fully brought under control.

07:29 – Fire Service: “The Situation Has Improved, But We Are Not Relaxing”

Fire Service spokesperson Giannis Artopios said the overall picture is improved, stressing that no settlements are currently under immediate threat.

He said firefighting efforts now involve:

• 86 firefighters
• Six specialized ground teams
• 24 fire engines

“The battle continues to prevent the fire from escaping control,” he said, noting that smoldering areas and scattered hotspots remain across the fire zone.

He also emphasized that strong winds and difficult weather conditions mean there is no room for complacency.

07:25 – Communities Evacuated So Far

Authorities have now evacuated ten communities following four successive 112 emergency alerts.

During the early hours of Wednesday, residents of:

• Tripiti
• Glyfa
• Pirgaki
• Aspro Chorio

were instructed to evacuate toward Drios.

Earlier, residents of Agkairia were directed toward Alyki Beach.

On Tuesday afternoon, evacuation orders had already been issued for:

• Agios Charalambos
• Kampi
• Bougados
• Aneratza
• Kamari

07:23 – Civil Protection Official: “We Had to Force Some Residents to Leave”

Speaking to SKAI TV, Paros Deputy Mayor for Civil Protection Ch. Giourtzidis said emergency crews had to physically persuade some residents to evacuate, as they refused to leave their animals behind.

“We still don’t have a clear picture of the damage,” he said. “So far, we know that two livestock enclosures have burned.”

He added that strong, persistent winds continue to hamper firefighting efforts and urged the public to avoid the Agkairia–Aspro Chorio ring road so that fire engines can move freely.

07:11 – Firefighting Forces Strengthened

Firefighting resources have been further reinforced.

Currently deployed are:

• 66 firefighters
• Four EMODE forest commando teams
• Volunteers
• 16 fire engines
• Five helicopters
• Two firefighting aircraft

Municipal water tankers and heavy machinery are also assisting operations.

An additional 20 firefighters with eight fire engines are expected to arrive from Rafina later today to further strengthen the response.

UPDATE:

If You Are in These Areas, Evacuate Immediately

New 112 emergency alert, ordering residents in Tripiti, Aspro Chorio, Glyfa, and Pirgaki to evacuate immediately as the wildfire advances. People in the affected areas are being directed to move toward Drios and to follow all instructions from emergency services.

Ground forces have now been reinforced and include 66 firefighters, four forest commando teams (EMODE) from Attica, and 16 fire engines. They are being assisted by two municipal water tankers and one heavy construction vehicle. The operation is being coordinated by the Deputy Chief of the Hellenic Fire Service.

Additional firefighting personnel are also being transported to the island by ferry from various parts of Greece.

To further strengthen the response, 20 more firefighters with eight fire engines are scheduled to depart from the port of Rafina early in the morning. Aerial firefighting aircraft and helicopters will resume operations at first light.

Firefighting efforts are being complicated by constantly shifting winds, while stronger winds are forecast for Wednesday morning, raising concerns about further fire spread.

Updates

03:46 – New 112 Alert Orders Evacuation of Four Areas

A new emergency alert was sent through Greece’s 112 emergency system, instructing residents of the following areas to evacuate immediately due to the advancing wildfire:

• Tripiti
• Aspro Chorio
• Glyfa
• Pirgaki

Residents have been instructed to move toward Drios and follow the directions of the authorities.

02:23 – Largest Firefighting Force Deployed Outside Agkairia

According to the Fire Service, its largest deployment is currently operating outside the village of Agkairia, where an evacuation alert had been issued earlier.

Officials say the fire has not entered the residential area, although northerly winds of up to 4 Beaufort continue to affect firefighting operations.

02:18 – Reinforcements from Athens Arrive

The total firefighting force on Paros now consists of:

• 66 firefighters
• 4 EMODE forest commando teams from Attica
• 16 fire engines

Additional personnel and equipment have also arrived from Syros, Naxos, and Piraeus.

Volunteers, along with the Municipality of Paros, are supporting the effort with two water tankers and one heavy machine.

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02:14 – 112 Alert Issued for Agkairia

The wildfire has spread into the Aneratza and Kamari areas.

At approximately 1:30 a.m., residents of Agkairia received a 112 emergency alert ordering them to evacuate toward Alyki Beach.

Earlier, residents of five other settlements had also been instructed to leave their homes and head toward Alyki.

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01:41 – More Firefighters Airlifted to the Island

Firefighting resources were reinforced with four airborne EMODE forest firefighting teams from Athens, while additional crews arrived from:

• Tinos
• Syros
• Naxos

Meanwhile, 16 more firefighters with eight vehicles were traveling by ferry from Piraeus and Syros.

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23:00 – Nighttime Video Shows Fire Burning on Paros

A driver recorded dramatic nighttime footage of the wildfire as it continued burning across the island.

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22:30 – Fire Visible from Sifnos

The wildfire on Paros was visible from the neighboring island of Sifnos, with residents sharing photographs on social media.

Images posted by the Facebook page KAIPOUTHEOS.GR – Sifnos Cyclades showed the glow from the fire visible across the sea.