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Greek authorities remain engaged in a major firefighting operation across several parts of the country, with the most critical situation unfolding in Porto Germeno, Boeotia, where homes have burned, residents have been rescued by sea and strong winds continue to fuel the blaze.

Authorities have also strengthened firefighting efforts in Achaia, while crews in southern Crete are monitoring flare-ups after bringing a major wildfire largely under control.

Wildfire in Porto Germeno, Friday 31 July 2026. (ΜΙΧΑΛΗΣ ΚΑΡΑΓΙΑΝΝΗΣ/EUROKINISSI)

Porto Germeno Fire Burns Homes and Triggers Sea Rescues

Porto Germeno endured a night of rapidly changing fire conditions after violent winds shifted shortly after 3 a.m., driving the flames toward the coastal area and threatening the settlement of Prosili and nearby communities.

The main access road became blocked, and at least three homes were destroyed.

Just after 5 a.m. Saturday, Greece’s Coast Guard coordinated a rescue operation to evacuate residents trapped on the beach.

According to Coast Guard spokesperson Theofanis Balatsoukas, Coast Guard vessels, assisted by the Fire Service, safely evacuated 12 people from Porto Germeno to Alepochori.

Wildfire in Porto Germeno, Friday 31 July 2026. (ΜΙΧΑΛΗΣ ΚΑΡΑΓΙΑΝΝΗΣ/EUROKINISSI)

The wildfire has now split into two active fronts, with one advancing toward Alepochori and the other toward Vilia.

Authorities also issued a 112 emergency alert instructing residents in Psatha to evacuate toward Alepochori and Megara.

The mayor of Megara described the fire as a “very large front” and said the municipality was preparing facilities to accommodate evacuees arriving from Alepochori if necessary.

(ΤΑΤΙΑΝΑ ΜΠΟΛΑΡΗ/EUROKINISSI)

Firefighting Aircraft Reinforced

The Fire Service has intensified aerial operations over Porto Germeno in an effort to bring the fire under control before nightfall.

According to Kostas Tsingas, president of the Union of Fire Service Officers, firefighters are engaged in a continuous race against time.

A total of nine Canadair water-bombing aircraft and four helicopters are conducting repeated water drops on both the flanks and the head of the wildfire.

The major wildfire continues for a second day in Boeotia, burning across the wider Corinthian Gulf area from Domvraina to Porto Germeno, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. (Tatiana Bolari/EUROKINISSI)

Officials noted that the effectiveness of the aerial operation depends heavily on wind intensity and visibility, with dense smoke making conditions particularly difficult for pilots.

Earlier in the day, aerial firefighting operations had been temporarily suspended because of the severe winds.

New Evacuation in Boeotia

Authorities activated the 112 emergency alert system at 5:12 a.m. for the village of Domvraina, instructing residents to evacuate as a precaution toward Thisvi.

The major wildfire in Boeotia continued burning for a second day across the wider Corinthian Gulf area, from Domvraina to Porto Germeno, on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. (Danae Davlopoulou / EUROKINISSI)

Traffic restrictions also remain in effect around Porto Germeno because of the wildfire that began Friday near Kalamaki, Boeotia.

Police have closed several provincial roads leading toward Porto Germeno, Vilia and Psatha to facilitate emergency operations and protect public safety.

Extreme Winds Fuel Fires

Powerful winds continue to hamper firefighting efforts across Greece.

According to the METEO weather network, the strongest wind gusts recorded Saturday morning included:

• 130 km/h (81 mph) at Paximada, Karystos
• 112 km/h (70 mph) on Mount Penteli
• 96 km/h (60 mph) at Mariou, Rethymno

Forecasters expect the winds to gradually weaken later Saturday afternoon.

Because of the weather conditions, Attica and Evia remain under Category 5 (extreme) wildfire risk, the highest level on Greece’s fire danger scale.

A very high wildfire risk (Category 4) is in effect for many other regions, including parts of the Peloponnese, Central Greece, the North and South Aegean islands, Crete, Western Greece and Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

Reinforcements in Achaia

Firefighters have significantly reinforced operations against the wildfire burning in Nerantzies, Aigialeia, in the western region of Achaia.

Wildfire in Porto Germeno, Friday 31 July 2026. (ΜΙΧΑΛΗΣ ΚΑΡΑΓΙΑΝΝΗΣ/EUROKINISSI)

A total of 83 firefighters, supported by 25 fire engines, four specialized ground teams from the 6th and 9th Forest Fire Units (EMODE), four firefighting aircraft and two helicopters are working to contain the blaze.

Water tankers from the Region of Western Greece and the Municipality of Aigialeia are also assisting.

Firefighters battled the flames throughout the night while prioritizing the protection of nearby communities.

Emergency 112 alerts instructed residents of Arravonitsa and Neos Erineos to evacuate as the fire approached the settlements.

Crete Fire Weakens but Crews Remain on Alert

In southern Rethymno, the large wildfire that broke out in the Municipality of Agios Vasileios has gradually subsided.

Although the main fire fronts have been largely contained, firefighting crews remain on full alert because strong winds continue to create a high risk of flare-ups.

Operations are now focused on mountainous and difficult-to-access areas around Asomatos, where smoke and small active hotspots remain within the burned area.

Firefighting Vehicle Destroyed

The ongoing wildfire at Porto Germeno also claimed a firefighting vehicle, which was destroyed while crews continued battling the blaze under extremely difficult conditions.

Authorities continue to monitor all active fire fronts closely as strong winds and dry conditions maintain an elevated wildfire threat across much of Greece.