Μake us preferred on Google A wildfire broke out Friday afternoon (July 31) in western Attica, near the Aigaleo Ring Road and the Aspropyrgos area, north-northeast of Skaramagas. The Fire Service Operations Center was notified of the blaze at around 3:29 p.m., and a major emergency response involving ground crews, aircraft, and evacuation measures was launched soon after.
As the effort developed, 108 firefighters with 27 vehicles and 6 ground teams from the 1st Special Forest Operations Unit (EMODE) were mobilized, backed from the air by 11 aircraft in total: five firefighting planes and six helicopters, one of which is coordinating the operation. Water tankers from the municipalities of Aspropyrgos, Fyli, Petroupoli, and Peristeri are also assisting.
The fire is burning close to a densely populated area, and a large column of thick black smoke has been visible over Chaidari, Peristeri, and other western suburbs, stretching from Athinon Avenue to Kifisou Avenue. As a precaution, authorities ordered the evacuation of the Psychiatric Hospital in Dafni.
Evacuation alerts and traffic changes
Greece’s 112 emergency alert system was activated as the situation developed. An earlier message, sent around 4:03 p.m., told people in the wider area to stay alert and follow official instructions. A second alert, sent around 4:22 p.m., ordered residents and visitors in the Afaia and Ano Dasos areas of Chaidari to evacuate toward Peristeri via Athinon Avenue.
Traffic police introduced emergency diversions in the area, including on Peripheral Aigaleo toward Attiki Odos, on Athinon Avenue near its junction with Peripheral Aigaleo and near Iera Odos and G. Papandreou Street, and on Schistou Avenue near its junctions with Palaska and Lambraki Streets.
The affected area was already under a very high wildfire risk rating (Category 4) because of weather conditions.
Athens tightens precautions
Because of the elevated fire danger and strong winds, the Municipality of Athens announced extra precautionary steps. Lycabettus Hill and Finopoulos Hill will be closed to all access, including visitors and vehicles, from midnight Friday until further notice.
Municipal services have been placed on standby, with teams drawn from the Cleaning and Greenery departments. Municipal Police patrols have increased, and drones with thermal cameras are monitoring major green areas across the city, including Lycabettus, Strefi Hill, Philopappos Hill, Tourkovounia, and Ilisia. The Municipal Police Operations Center will run around the clock to coordinate with the Fire Service if needed, and municipal water tankers remain on standby.
Cause under investigation
The Western Attica Fire Investigation Unit, which handles suspected arson cases, has been activated to determine what caused the fire. Authorities are continuing to monitor the blaze and are asking residents to stay alert while firefighting operations continue.
