A series of wildfires erupted on Friday, August 8, affecting several areas near Athens, prompting urgent evacuation alerts and large-scale firefighting operations.
The most recent blaze broke out in Drosia at midday, burning through forested land. Greece’s emergency alert system, 112, sent repeated warning messages to residents, instructing them to leave the area and move towards Anavyssos. A separate alert also urged people in the nearby Harvalo area to evacuate in the same direction.
At the same time, another major wildfire is burning in Keratea, in the Manoutso area. The fire is consuming open plots and dry grass in a residential zone. The firefighting effort there involves 92 firefighters, seven ground teams from the 7th Special Disaster Response Unit, 20 vehicles, volunteers, and aerial support from three aircraft and five helicopters, one of which is coordinating operations. Water tankers from local authorities are also assisting.
In addition, a third wildfire is active in the Koumintri area of Megara, where flames are sweeping through dry grassland and low vegetation. The fire, which began around 12:20, is being fought by 52 firefighters, two ground teams from the 1st Special Disaster Response Unit, 18 vehicles, and three helicopters, with extra support from municipal water tankers and heavy machinery. Strong winds are complicating firefighting efforts, although the blaze is not currently moving towards nearby mountains.
