Firefighters are continuing to battle major flare-ups for as the large wildfire that began in Boeotia and spread into western Attica remains active, with renewed fire activity threatening communities near Porto Germeno. Improved weather conditions allowed aerial crews to intensify operations, while authorities monitored flare-ups.
Satellite data processed by the National Observatory of Athens’ meteo.gr team showed that the fire remained active on Monday morning, with the most significant remaining hotspots located in two main areas.
The first zone is east and southeast of the already affected area around Porto Germeno and Psatha on Mount Kithairon. The second, more extensive area is located farther south, in the mountainous region of Mount Patera northeast of Megara, where the highest concentration of active thermal spots has been recorded.
Fire Officers Association President Kostas Tsigas said firefighters were continuing operations in two main areas of concern: the northern section near Agia Paraskevi and Agios Nektarios toward Vilia, and the southern front near Kandili, where a military firing range is located.
For a third consecutive day, firefighters continued battling the massive wildfire that began in Boeotia and spread into the Attica region, leaving behind extensive damage to residential areas and forestland, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (EUROKINISSI)
“The entire perimeter has smoke, flames and active hotspots,” Tsigas said, noting that ground crews, fire engines, specialized forest commandos and aerial firefighting aircraft were continuing efforts across the fire zone.
He described Monday as a “critical day,” as falling wind speeds were expected to improve firefighting conditions and allow aircraft to provide greater support to ground forces.
“We hope and wish that this will be the last morning that begins with such conditions,” Tsigas said, referring to the prolonged firefighting operation and the recent deaths of firefighters and helicopter crew members.
He also expressed condolences for the deaths of two helicopter pilots involved in Sunday’s fatal collision between two firefighting helicopters near Psatha, as well as the three firefighters killed in previous wildfire operations in Rethymno and Gythio.
Improved Conditions in Some Areas, Renewed Activity Elsewhere
Firefighting conditions improved in some areas after aerial operations resumed.
The situation around Agios Nektarios and Kryo Pigadi has improved with the assistance of aerial firefighting aircraft, although scattered hotspots remain.
However, flare-ups continue in other areas already affected by the fire, including Porto Germeno, where strong winds had repeatedly pushed flames toward settlements.
For a third consecutive day, firefighters continued battling the massive wildfire that began in Boeotia and spread into the Attica region, leaving behind extensive damage to residential areas and forestland, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026.
One of the most serious situations earlier developed in Agia Skepi, where repeated flare-ups threatened homes and prompted emergency authorities to issue a new 112 alert.
Megara Mayor Panagiotis Margetis said that, so far, no homes or the local monastery in Agia Skepi had been destroyed, despite the advancing flames. Earlier Monday, the mayor said one section of the wildfire was showing improvement, but conditions remained extremely difficult on the front moving toward Kandili.
“The fire has grown and is threatening homes and several monasteries in the area,” he said. Nearby settlements were evacuated after emergency alerts were issued, while ground crews continued operations until aerial support resumed after daybreak.
Margetis also praised the public response, saying residents and volunteers have delivered water and food to firefighters and helped guide water tankers to support firefighting operations.
Kefalonia Fire Under Control
Authorities said there is currently no active fire front in Kefalonia, although firefighting forces remain deployed in the area due to concerns over possible flare-ups.
Winds Continue to Challenge Firefighters
Strong winds remain the biggest obstacle to containing the wildfire.
Although wind speeds eased overnight, conditions are expected to strengthen again during the day, reaching up to Force 6 on the Beaufort scale, with gusts of 31 to 37 mph (50 to 60 km/h) across the main fire zones in Attica and Boeotia.
For a third consecutive day, firefighters continued battling the massive wildfire that began in Boeotia and spread into the Attica region, leaving behind extensive damage to residential areas and forestland, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026.
Authorities expect winds to weaken to around Force 4 by Monday evening in the wildfire-affected areas, although no calm conditions are forecast.
The strongest meltemi winds remain over the Aegean Sea, where sustained winds are reaching Force 6 and locally Force 7 around Cape Kafireas (Cavo D’Oro). Temperatures are also expected to rise, reaching up to 102.2°F (39°C) in western Greece.
From Tuesday, winds over the Aegean are forecast to strengthen again to Force 7, while Attica and Boeotia could experience Force 5 winds. Similar conditions are expected to affect southern Evia and eastern Attica on Wednesday.
For a third consecutive day, firefighters continued battling the massive wildfire that began in Boeotia and spread into the Attica region, leaving behind extensive damage to residential areas and forestland, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026.
High temperatures are forecast to persist throughout the week, reaching up to 102.2°F (39°C) through Friday, with some areas potentially reaching 104°F (40°C).
Cyprus Offers Assistance
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said Cyprus was ready to assist Greece’s firefighting efforts.
“We are following with sorrow the destruction unfolding in various areas of Greece from the deadly wildfires of recent days,” Christodoulides said.
“We share the grief over the loss of human lives, and our thoughts are with our Greek brothers who are being tested.”
He added that Cyprus’ National Civil Protection Coordinator was in constant communication with the Greek government and that the country was prepared to contribute to firefighting operations if requested.
Very High Fire Danger Remains in Three Regions
Greece’s Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has placed Attica, Boeotia and Evia under a Category 4 (“orange”) wildfire warning, indicating a very high fire risk.
For a third consecutive day, firefighters continued battling the massive wildfire that began in Boeotia and spread into the Attica region, leaving behind extensive damage to residential areas and forestland, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026.
Several other mainland and island regions remain under Category 3 fire danger alerts.
Copernicus Activated for Damage Mapping
The Greek Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has activated the European Union’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service to map wildfire damage in the regional unit of Achaia, where a major wildfire broke out on July 31.
The activation, requested by Greece’s General Secretariat for Civil Protection and approved by the European Union, will provide satellite-based maps and geospatial data to support emergency response and post-fire recovery efforts.
Government Accelerates Relief and Damage Assessments
Deputy Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Kostas Katsafados is holding a series of coordination meetings in wildfire-affected areas to oversee damage assessments and speed up the implementation of state financial assistance for affected residents and businesses.
For a third consecutive day, firefighters continued battling the massive wildfire that began in Boeotia and spread into the Attica region, leaving behind extensive damage to residential areas and forestland, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026.
A meeting scheduled Monday in the municipality of Mandra-Eidyllia, near Porto Germeno, has been postponed because local authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage. It is now expected to take place on Tuesday, Aug. 4, if conditions allow.
An emergency session of the Government Committee for State Aid is scheduled for Monday at 5 p.m. to review requests related to rebuilding public infrastructure and repairing wildfire damage.
“We know that behind every burned home, every damaged business and every acre of land lost are people whose daily lives have been turned upside down,” Katsafados said. “The next day requires speed, determination and effectiveness.”
Engineering inspection teams are being deployed to multiple municipalities across Greece to begin structural damage assessments as conditions permit, while specialized staff will assist local authorities with distributing emergency financial assistance.
For a third consecutive day, firefighters continued battling the massive wildfire that began in Boeotia and spread into the Attica region, leaving behind extensive damage to residential areas and forestland, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026.
Affected municipalities have also received guidance on the procedures for immediate emergency payments, including grants for basic living needs and household replacement. Informational leaflets explaining available financial support and application procedures will be distributed alongside official damage inspection reports.
Meanwhile, authorities said investigations into Sunday’s fatal collision between two Bell firefighting helicopters near Psatha remain ongoing under prosecutorial supervision.
