A major wildfire that broke out on July 3 near the town of Pikermi, just outside Athens, has been brought under partial control, though emergency services remain on high alert for possible flare-ups. The blaze, which quickly spread to the nearby towns of Rafina and Spata, forced evacuations, destroyed several homes, and disrupted transport services.

Fire Now Under Control but Risk Remains

According to the Hellenic Fire Service, the fire began around 3:00 p.m. near the intersection of Marathon Avenue and Arionos Street. Fanned by strong northwesterly winds and fueled by dry vegetation, the flames moved swiftly through mixed residential and forested areas, making containment efforts difficult.

Although winds have now subsided and the fire is no longer advancing, hotspots remain. Fire crews continue to douse smoldering areas and remain on standby in case of reignition.

Rapid Spread and Emergency Response

The fire quickly escalated due to challenging terrain, agricultural plots, and dense pine forests.

Evacuation messages were sent via Greece’s emergency 112 alert system, urging residents to leave four affected settlements: Agia Kyriaki, Etos Steko, Imeros Pefkos, and Vounopoli. In total, around 365 people were safely evacuated, and 57 individuals were rescued—many of them elderly or with mobility issues. At least 22 animals were also saved.

One 77-year-old man was taken to a local health center for precautionary care but is reportedly in good condition.

Homes and Vehicles Destroyed

According to local officials, at least five to six homes and several vehicles were destroyed by the flames. Damage assessments are expected to begin today.

Firefighting forces were heavily mobilized, with 170 firefighters, 48 vehicles, 8 ground teams, and 14 aircraft—including helicopters—deployed to the scene. Aerial support proved vital, particularly in the mountainous region of Etos, where access for ground crews was impossible due to a lack of forest roads.

Special forest fire units equipped with chainsaws, hoses, and mobile water pumps also worked through the night to prevent flare-ups deep in the forest.

Transport Disruptions and Recovery

The wildfire also caused significant traffic disruptions. A portion of Marathon Avenue, a major road leading into Athens, was closed for several hours but has since reopened.

Ferry services at the port of Rafina, which were temporarily suspended, have resumed. Earlier, the ferry Evia Star had to abort its scheduled arrival and return to Marmari with 125 passengers, dozens of vehicles, and crew on board.

No Casualties Reported

Despite the scale of the disaster, there were no reported injuries or fatalities. Emergency services, including ambulances and rapid-response motorcycles, were deployed but not required to intervene medically.

Authorities remain vigilant. Firefighting and rescue crews continue working to fully extinguish any remaining hotspots and prevent further damage in what has already been a destructive fire season for Greece.