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A wildfire broke out early Monday morning in the village of Kouvaras in East Attica, Greece’s fire service announced, with flames burning low vegetation in the Agios Stylianos area, close to a residential settlement. Greece’s 112 emergency alert system, the country’s public warning service for natural disasters and other crises, sent an initial message at 8:21 a.m. notifying residents of a fire in Kouvaras and telling them to stay alert and follow instructions from authorities. As the fire progressed, a second 112 alert ordered the evacuation of the Agios Stylianos settlement. Kouvaras belongs to the Municipality of Saronikos.

The initial response mobilized 48 firefighters, including a ground crew from the 1st EMODE, a specialized wildfire unit, along with volunteers, 15 vehicles and three helicopters.

Firefighting effort rapidly expanded

As the fire continued to spread, commanders ordered a swift and substantial reinforcement of firefighting forces. Currently 172 firefighters are operating at the scene, backed by four ground teams from the 1st and 8th EMODE units, volunteer firefighters and 41 vehicles. Two fixed wing aircraft and four helicopters have been assigned to the aerial firefighting effort, one of which is coordinating the operation from the air. Water tanker trucks from local municipalities have also joined the response.

The reinforcements include international crews stationed in Greece under a European Union program that pre positions firefighters from member states in high risk countries during peak wildfire season. Among them are 23 firefighters with four vehicles from France and 24 firefighters with five vehicles from Romania.

Road closed as fire threatens homes

Traffic police have closed Leoforos Lavriou, a major road linking Athens to the Lavrio area in southeast Attica, at its junction with Agiou Stylianou Street, blocking the lane heading toward Markopoulo.

As the fire has spread, authorities have ordered additional diversions. Traffic on Leoforos Souniou is being diverted at its junction with Leoforos Lavriou, affecting the lane heading toward Agios Stylianos. Traffic on Eleftheriou Venizelou Avenue is being diverted at its junction with Agiou Georgiou Street.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.