A wildfire broke out Monday afternoon in olive groves and forestland near the village of Agia Eleni in the municipality of Troizinia-Methana, on the eastern Peloponnese peninsula, prompting authorities to issue emergency alerts through the 112 public warning system and order the precautionary evacuation of the settlement.

Residents of Agia Eleni, a small rural village surrounded by olive cultivation and wooded hills, were instructed to leave immediately for nearby Ano Fanari, an inland hillside settlement, after changing wind conditions caused the blaze to shift direction toward the village. Local officials said the wildfire remained outside the municipality’s main residential center but described it as extensive and difficult to contain because of strong winds.

Firefighting forces were reinforced as the operation intensified, with 75 firefighters, three specialized ground teams and 20 fire engines deployed to the scene. Four water-dropping aircraft and two helicopters carried out intermittent aerial operations, while water tankers from the Peloponnese regional authority assisted ground crews.

The wildfire continued to burn through olive groves and adjacent forestland across the rugged, hilly terrain as wind gusts reaching force six on the Beaufort scale complicated suppression efforts.

The latest outbreak came as Greece remained on heightened wildfire alert following several major blazes over the past three days, including destructive fires near Thessaloniki and west of Athens that triggered evacuations, damaged homes and businesses and prompted the deployment of hundreds of firefighters and extensive aerial resources.

Authorities have repeatedly warned that strong winds and dry conditions continue to create extreme fire danger across large parts of the country, with civil protection services urging the public to avoid activities that could ignite new wildfires.