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.
⚠️ Activation 1️⃣1️⃣2️⃣
🆘 Fire in the area #Kouvaras of the regional unit of #Anatoliki_Attiki
‼️ Stay alert and follow the instructions of the Authorities
ℹ️ https://t.co/1XyhLLFTsM@pyrosvestiki@hellenicpolice
— 112 Greece (@112Greece) August 10, 2026
⚠️ Activation 1️⃣1️⃣2️⃣
🆘 Fire in your area
‼️ If you are in #Agios_Stylianos #Kouvaras of the regional unit of #Anatoliki_Attiki move away to #Kalivia #Thorikou
‼️ Follow the instructions of the Authorities
ℹ️ ℹ️ https://t.co/1XyhLLFTsM@pyrosvestiki@hellenicpolice
— 112 Greece (@112Greece) August 10, 2026
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.
Municipality reports progress, but winds complicate effort
Footage aired by the greek public broadcaster showed livestock units engulfed in flames. According to reports, firefighting crews are working to stop the fire front from reaching the Agios Stylianos settlement itself.
The municipality of Saronikos said in an emergency update that conditions on the fire front near Agios Stylianos in Kouvaras had improved, with civil protection crews and firefighters continuing operations at the scene to bring the fire under control. The municipality said the community building in Kalyvia remained open to anyone in need, and that the Antonis Tritsis indoor gymnasium was being used as a shelter for evacuated animals.
Even so, strong and unpredictable winds have continued to complicate the firefighting operation in parts of the area. Dimitris Loukas, the mayor of Lavreotiki, told public broadcaster ERT that shifting winds were making the operation harder to manage. “The wind is out of control, there’s no question about it,” he said. “We have a lot of resources on the ground, but the wind keeps turning, and that’s what concerns us. It changes direction without warning.”
Efi Papavramopoulou, a spokeswoman for the fire service, told ERT that winds in the area were reaching Beaufort force 7 and pushing the fire eastward into the region’s mountainous terrain, where it was burning low vegetation.
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.
