Firefighters are battling to contain a wildfire that broke out in a forested area near the village of Vilia, in Western Attica, on Thursday afternoon, with aerial and ground crews deployed working to protect scattered homes.
The blaze ignited at approximately 2:40 p.m. in the Agia Paraskevi woodland area near Vilia, within the Municipal Unit of Mandra-Eidyllia. Firefighters are focusing on preventing the flames from reaching isolated residences scattered throughout the forest.
Authorities have implemented emergency traffic diversions, directing motorists onto provincial roads as firefighting operations continue.
A total of 85 firefighters, supported by 33 fire engines, five firefighting aircraft, and two helicopters, have been deployed to the scene.
Vilia, situated on the slopes of Mount Cithaeron, lies about 56km (35 miles) northwest of Athens. Many Athenians have holiday homes there. The area has a long history of destructive wildfires, having suffered major blazes in 2021, 2009, and 1985.
Meanwhile, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection has warned of a very high wildfire risk on Friday, July 17, for Attica, Crete, parts of Central Greece, the Peloponnese and the North Aegean. The affected regions have been placed under a Category 4 alert.
