Devastating Figures for Western Attica: More Than 480,000 Stremmas Burned in 9 Years

With the wildfire in Western Attica continuing to burn for another day, an updated analysis by the National Observatory of Athens highlights the scale of the destruction caused by major fires in the region from 2018 to the present.

According to the data, more than 480,000 stremmas (approximately 48,000 hectares) have been consumed by wildfires over the past nine years.

The update by the National Observatory of Athens was carried out following the recent wildfire in Porto Germeno on July 31, 2026.

UPDATE

Wildfire in Lampeia, Ilia Brought Under Control

03/08/2026 – 17:34
Video shows flames reaching the first homes in Psatha.

03/08/2026 – 17:20

Kandili and Psatha Become the Main Battlegrounds Against the Wildfire

Firefighters continue battling the Western Attica wildfire for a fourth consecutive day. The blaze began in Boeotia before spreading into Attica.

According to the Fire Service, the most critical front is at Kandili, near Megara, where crews are trying to stop the fire before it reaches the Megara Industrial Zone. Another major concern is the fire burning northeast of Psatha, which has grown significantly and has now reached the settlement.

A large firefighting force remains deployed, including:

• 450 firefighters
• 126 fire engines
• 22 ground crews
• Volunteer firefighters and numerous water tankers
• 16 firefighting aircraft
• 4 helicopters, one of which is coordinating aerial operations

Earlier in the day, two emergency alerts were issued through Greece’s 112 emergency warning system, urging residents to evacuate the areas of Kandili, Ano Vlychada, Agios Konstantinos, the Megara Industrial Zone, and Papa Perivoli.

Firefighters are using heavy earth-moving equipment to create firebreaks in an effort to halt the fire’s advance. The Deucalion response team is assisting in the operation, while water tankers and heavy machinery have been provided by the Attica and Central Greece regional authorities.

Additional construction equipment from the Directorate for Construction and Natural Disaster Response is continuing to open new firebreaks in cooperation with the Forestry Service.

03/08/2026 – 17:11

Psatha Being Evacuated

Residents of Psatha received a 112 emergency alert instructing them to evacuate immediately and head toward Megara.

UPDATE

Traffic police issued a new update due to the major wildfire in Western Attica. Vehicle traffic has been suspended on Mandras Street, from the “O Meletis” grill house, in the direction towards Leoforos Katadromon.

Specifically, traffic has been suspended on Mandras Street, from the “O Meletis” grill house, in the direction towards Leoforos Katadromon (Commando Avenue).

By contrast, traffic has been restored on the Alepochori–Psatha–Vilia provincial road, about 800 metres past the “Agora Psatha” shop, in the direction towards Porto Germeno.

UPDATE

Fire Service Chief on Western Attica fire: “The entire perimeter has hot spots and smoke”

The situation with the major wildfire in Western Attica remains highly volatile, with hot spots and smoke continuing to be recorded across the whole affected area. Kostas Tsigkas, head of the Union of Fire Service Officers, told ERTnews that rising temperatures and stronger winds during the day could trigger fresh flare-ups.

According to Tsigkas, firefighting forces are concentrating on two areas. The first is on the southern edge of the fire, while the second is in the northern sector, near Agia Paraskevi and Agios Nektarios, towards Villia. “The entire perimeter has smoke and hot spots,” he said, adding that firefighters, vehicles, ground patrol units and forest commando teams are operating on site, now backed by aerial support.

Dense smoke, combined with high temperatures and the heat radiating from the fire, is placing particular strain on personnel.

At the time of the report, 12 aircraft were making drops at various points along the fire’s vast perimeter. That number is expected to rise through the day, with up to 28 aircraft potentially available. Tsigkas clarified, however, that the number of planes and helicopters actually able to operate depends on weather and operational conditions, refuelling, technical checks and pilots’ own assessments as they approach the area. “It cannot be predicted at take off how many aircraft will ultimately be able to operate. That is a matter of operational judgement by the pilots,” he explained.

Aircraft have been deployed across every side of the fire. Drops are being carried out not only over active hot spots but also ahead of the fire’s advance, in order to slow its spread. Heavy smoke, though, is limiting visibility and making targeted drops more difficult.

The Union of Fire Service Officers’ chairman stressed that today’s ability to carry out aerial operations is the main factor behind a degree of cautious optimism. He explained that the gale-force winds of previous days had prevented timely and sustained aerial support. As a result, the fire, which started in Boeotia, tore through the remote, densely forested mountain range before reaching Western Attica. In his assessment, had aircraft been able to intervene from the earliest hours, the fire would not have grown to such a large scale.

Katsafados: First phase of damage assessments to be completed within three days

The first phase of on site damage assessments will be completed within three days, said Kostas Katsafados, Deputy Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection responsible for State Assistance, speaking to ERTnews.

Battle on two fronts in Western Attica: fighting at Agios Nektarios and above Megara, strong flare up at Sklavounos

• The Western Attica wildfire is raging for a fourth day, with flames reaching the settlement of Agia Skepi
  
• Agia Skepi, Kandili and Botsika were evacuated this morning
  
• The active fire fronts in Western Attica: the latest satellite data
  
• Mayor of Mandra Idyllia: the total number of damaged homes could run into the hundreds
  
• Katsafados holds a series of meetings in the fire hit areas
  
• “Orange” alert in place for fire risk in Attica, Boeotia and Evia
  
• Six scenarios under examination for the collision of the two helicopters at Psatha (read more HERE)

Striking footage from the Megara fire: horses seen running to escape the flames at Kandili (video)

Christodoulides sends message of support to Greece: “Cyprus stands ready to help fight the fires”

“We are following with deep sorrow the destruction being wrought across various parts of Greece by the deadly wildfires of recent days. We share in the mourning for the loss of human life, and our thoughts are with our Greek brothers and sisters going through this ordeal. Through the National Civil Protection Coordinator, the Republic of Cyprus is in constant contact with the Greek Government and stands ready to assist in the firefighting effort,” said the Cypriot president.

Battle on two fronts: at Agios Nektarios and above Megara

Firefighting forces are continuing to battle on two fronts in Western Attica, with flare ups keeping the risk level high.

The first and most difficult front is around Agios Nektarios, where firefighters are making major efforts to bring it under control. At the same time, a strong flare up has been recorded in the Sklavounos area, while a further section of the fire moving towards Mount Kithairon is causing particular concern, as it is considered especially dangerous.

The second key front is above Megara, near the firing range area. Although vegetation there is notably sparser, firefighting forces remain on high alert, since shifting winds can quickly change the fire’s behaviour and create new problems.

Mayor of Mandra Idyllia: total number of damaged homes could run into the hundreds

Speaking to SKAI about the progress of the major Western Attica wildfire, Aristeidis Drikos, Mayor of Mandra Idyllia, stressed that firefighting efforts are continuing with the aim of containing the active fronts. “We hope that in the coming hours we will manage to contain the fire,” he said.

Drikos also announced that official on site assessments in the affected areas will begin tomorrow. He said crews will carry out door to door surveys to accurately record the damage and residents’ needs.

On the scale of the destruction, the mayor estimated that several dozen homes have suffered major damage, and that if properties with lesser damage are included, the total could run into the hundreds. He added, however, that the full picture will only emerge once the official surveys are complete.

UPDATE

• Wildfire rages for a third day in Western Attica, flames have reached the settlement of Agia Skepi
  
• Small flare-ups in Psatha, strong smell of smoke in the area
  
• “Orange” alert issued today for fire risk in Attica, Boeotia and Evia
  
• Series of meetings held by Katsafados in fire-hit areas
  
  
  More than 111,000 stremmas burnt by the wildfires in Boeotia and Attica

Houses burnt in Kryo Pigadi

In Kryo Pigadi, the fire has caused significant damage, with homes destroyed, while the situation remains particularly difficult in the Louba area, outside Villia.
03/08/2026 06:58

Fire has travelled almost 10 kilometres in a matter of hours, battle under way to halt its progress

The distance covered by the wildfire since Friday is causing concern. The distance from Kandili to Nea Peramos is less than 10 kilometres, reflecting how far the fire has spread within just a few 24-hour periods.

Behind the area lie the foothills of Mount Patera, where a particularly active front continues to burn, and which fire crews are monitoring continuously. At the same time, strong police forces are carrying out patrols, using lights and sirens to call on anyone still in the scattered homes in the area to leave immediately.

Meanwhile, firefighters are escorting heavy vehicles belonging to the Region, Civil Protection and the Municipality, as bulldozers and other earth-moving machinery work to create firebreaks aimed at halting the fire’s progress.

According to reports from the front line, the fire’s intensity is fluctuating, at times flaring up and at times dying down. Winds are constantly shifting, though so far they have not been driving the flames towards residential areas, instead pushing them mainly south and southeast. Even so, the risk remains high and no one is letting their guard down.

Ongoing flare-ups in Agia Skepi

Firefighters battle flames through the night in Agia Paraskevi

Very high fire risk today in Attica, Boeotia and Evia

A very high fire risk (risk category 4) is forecast for today, Monday 3 August 2026, in Attica, Boeotia and Evia, according to the Fire Risk Forecast Map issued by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection.

In addition, the Fire Service has announced that, due to multiple incidents across the country and the prevailing weather conditions, Fire Service personnel nationwide remain on general standby to deal with the increased operational demands.

Series of meetings held by Katsafados in fire-hit areas

The Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection responsible for State Aid, Kostas Katsafados, is beginning a series of meetings and coordination efforts in the areas affected by the recent wildfires, aiming to coordinate all agencies involved, promptly record the damage, and swiftly activate State Aid measures to support affected citizens and businesses.

Specifically, tomorrow, Monday 3 August 2026, at 11:00, the Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Kostas Katsafados, will hold a meeting at Eupalio Town Hall in Phocis, seat of the Municipal Unit of Eupalio within the Municipality of Doris, with the participation of the Deputy Regional Governor, the State Aid Coordinator, representatives of Local Government and all relevant co-responsible services and agencies.

According to an announcement from the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, the meeting originally scheduled in the Municipality of Mandra-Eidyllia, in Porto Germeno, has been postponed, as the municipal authority and the Region continue gathering and assessing data to fully record the damage. It is now scheduled for Tuesday 4 August 2026, provided conditions and the situation in the area allow.

Ongoing flare-ups in Kryo Pigadi

Wildfire rages in Western Attica, aircraft begin water drops

The major wildfire in Western Attica is in full development, with the main front burning in the Kandili and Agios Nektarios areas, according to the Fire Service. At first light, five helicopters and seven aircraft began water drops, while strong ground forces are also battling the flames: 450 firefighters, 126 vehicles and 22 ground crew teams.

Small flare-ups in Psatha, strong smell of smoke in the area