A large forest fire in the Trapezitsa area of Konitsa, northwestern Greece, remained out of control for an eighth consecutive day Monday, as firefighting forces continued efforts to contain the flames.
The fire broke out on August 31, 2026, and has yet to be brought under control despite sustained firefighting efforts. With daylight, aerial firefighting operations resumed, reinforcing the crews working on the ground.
@megatvnewsΜεγάλη αναζωπύρωση παρουσίασε σήμερα (06.09.2026) η φωτιά που εκδηλώθηκε το Σάββατο στην Κόνιτσα με αποτέλεσμα να σημάνει νέος συναγερμός στην πυροσβεστική και μήνυμα του 112 να σταλεί στους κατοίκους της περιοχής. «Δασική πυρκαγιά στην περιοχή Κόνιτσας, της περιφερειακής ενότητας Ιωαννίνων. Οι καπνοί κατευθύνονται στην περιοχή σας. Παραμείνετε σε εσωτερικούς χώρους, κλείστε πόρτες και παράθυρα. Παραμείνετε σε ετοιμότητα και ακολουθείτε τις οδηγίες των αρχών». Video: forecastweather.gr♬ πρωτότυπος ήχος – MEGA News
The blaze has already destroyed a large area of pristine forest and has spread into the Aoos gorge. The area’s rugged terrain is making it particularly difficult for ground crews to reach the fire fronts and operate effectively.
170 firefighters involved
A total of 170 firefighters are now participating in the operation, including 10 specialized teams from the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th and 10th Special Forest Operations Units.
The operation also involves 45 firefighting water trucks and 20 support vehicles, with 117 firefighters assigned to them.
Nine additional specialized forest firefighting teams, comprising 53 people, are also taking part.
@worldweathernews24htv ‼️ΈΚΤΑΚΤΟ‼️: Ανεξέλεγκτη η φωτιά στην Κόνιτσα των Ιωαννίνων. Πολύ δύσκολη η κατάσταση 6-9-26. 🎥 Video: Ελιξήριο ( 🟦 Facebook ) #fire #Konitsa #iwannina ♬ πρωτότυπος ήχος – 👮👮🧑🚒🧑🚒🚒🚓🌪️⛈️☃️🔥
The effort is being supported by 30 volunteers from four forestry cooperatives — Epirus, Distrato, Robolo and Pogoni — as well as members of the Konitsa Mountaineering Club.
@forecastweathergreece Υπεράνθρωπες προσπάθειες από τα ελικόπτερα στο πολύ μεγάλο πύρινο μέτωπο της #Κόνιτσας. Βίντεο : Αλέξανδρος Καχριμάνης #Πυρκαγιά #Κονιτσα ♬ πρωτότυπος ήχος – ForecastWeatherGreece
Authorities urge caution
The Municipality of Konitsa said its civil protection mechanism remains on full alert and urged residents to remain calm and avoid unnecessary travel toward the affected area.
Authorities have issued particular warnings to people with respiratory or heart conditions, advising them to remain in tightly closed indoor spaces with air conditioning set to air-recirculation mode or, if possible, to leave the area in time.
Speaking to Ant1 television Monday morning, George Mitsos of Konitsa Civil Protection said a large, coordinated operation was underway to extinguish the fire.
“The fire started from lightning, and the wind has now changed, so it is no longer heading toward the city,” Mitsos said.
