The two-hour window that let hundreds of firefighters make one last push to contain the fire front, after aerial support was grounded, closed before midnight, and the winds picked back up to gale force again, blowing in every direction.

One of the toughest wildfires in recent years is now in full swing in Boeotia.

A massive fire front continues to burn through forest and farmland, threatening settlements and forcing authorities into continuous evacuations and rescue operations.

Thousands of people are watching anxiously, and everyone knows what they’ll see once the sun comes up. They won’t move away from where their homes are. Police are trying to get them to leave.

No one can breathe the toxic air

How it all happened so fast

The fire built enormous strength early on and, pushed by gale-force winds coming down from the mountains of Helicon and Kithairon, first surged toward Agios Vasileios.

Within a very short time it developed multiple active fronts and spread toward Kalamaki, Xironomi, and Porto Germeno, creating an extremely difficult operational landscape.

Forest commandos go where the hoses can’t reach

As the fire pushes deep into dense, untouched forest, fire truck hoses can’t reach the spots burning out of control.

That’s when the EMODE teams take over.

The forest commandos move in on foot across steep slopes and ravines that vehicles can’t reach.

In a suffocating atmosphere, surrounded by towering flames devouring the thick forest, they cut containment lines, work with hand tools, and fight for every meter to stop the fire before it reaches the settlements.

They clear paths so fire engines can get in; every drop of water dropped counts as a win.

These are suicide missions.

The biggest fight is happening on four fronts

Xironomi, Kalamaki, Agios Vasileios, and Porto Germeno. The destruction is staggering, and the question is whether the aircraft will be able to fly again.

The operation involves 215 firefighters, 10 forest commando teams, volunteers, and 57 fire vehicles. Water tankers, engineering equipment, and the “Deukalion” team are also operating, working with the Forest Service to cut firebreaks and limit the fire’s spread.

A small reprieve at the Agios Nikolaos front

Earlier, in the area between Domvraina and Agios Nikolaos, the picture improved somewhat, as weakening winds let firefighters bring that front under more control.

Firefighters managed to hold the fire about 800 meters from the settlement, while the flames are now heading toward already-burned land, reducing the immediate danger to homes.

112 warning messages had already gone out, along with a preventive evacuation of Agios Nikolaos and Alykes.

Agios Vasileios cut off, trapped residents leave by sea

In Agios Vasileios, the situation remains dramatic. The fire has cut the only road into the settlement, trapping residents and holidaymakers.

Despite 112 warnings, several people are staying in their homes, and a major sea evacuation operation is underway. Fire Service, Coast Guard, and private vessels are moving hundreds of people to Livadostra.

Porto Germeno now the center of concern

The greatest worry has now shifted to Porto Germeno, where flames are spreading rapidly through the forests of Kithairon and getting dangerously close to the first homes.

After sunset, aircraft withdrew, and the full weight of the operation has shifted to ground crews. Firefighters have cut six firebreaks, while police are carrying out door-to-door checks to make sure residents have left.