A wildfire that broke out late Thursday night in southern Greece continues to cause destruction in the region of Messinia, near the village of Metamorfosi in the municipality of Pylos-Nestor. The fire, which ignited shortly after 10 p.m., has scorched forest and farmland, including local olive groves, as firefighting crews struggle to contain it in difficult terrain.

The fire spread rapidly overnight, driven by strong winds that later eased, but not before threatening nearby communities. According to the mayor of Pylos-Nestor, Panagiotis Karvelas, a settlement in the Papaflessas area was at risk during the night. Thanks to swift and coordinated efforts by emergency services, the flames were kept at bay, and the community was spared.

“At the moment, the fire front is under control. There’s cautious optimism as the winds have subsided,” Karvelas told Greek national broadcaster ERTNews. “However, significant damage has been done to forest areas and olive groves.”

A total of 35 firefighters are currently deployed in the area, supported by 11 fire engines, a specialized ground unit, local municipal water tankers, and volunteers. The main fire front remains in a steep, inaccessible area, posing ongoing challenges to firefighting crews.

Although the situation has stabilized, the region is no stranger to summer wildfires. Blazes break out frequently in this part of Messinia, often fueled by dry vegetation, hot temperatures, and wind patterns typical of the season.

Local authorities are now focusing on damage assessment and monitoring the site for potential flare-ups as the fire risk remains elevated.