Greece continues to battle devastating wildfires that erupted on Saturday, July 26, 2025, across multiple regions of the country. Despite an all-night firefighting effort, flames in Chania, Evia, Messinia, Kythera, Ptolemaida, and Kryoneri in Attica have already left behind a trail of massive environmental destruction, severe property damage, and tragic losses.

Scattered Blazes Persist in Kryoneri

The wildfire that broke out on the northern outskirts of Athens, in an area near the village of Kryoneri at the foot of Mount Parnitha, is no longer presenting a unified front, though scattered hotspots remain active. These pockets continue to flare up intermittently, but firefighters have so far managed to contain the reignitions.

The main fireline lies deep within a ravine, making it inaccessible to ground forces. Around 4:00 a.m., winds picked up again, complicating efforts.

Local residents are left counting their losses—homes have been destroyed or heavily damaged, and the village of Drosopigi remains without electricity. Since the onset of the fire, Greek police have been assisting fire crews, with 110 officers deployed in the area, successfully rescuing 27 people.

According to the National Emergency Center (EKAV), five individuals have been hospitalized due to fire-related injuries.

Evia: A Relentless Inferno

In Central Evia, the wildfire nightmare continues. Fire crews are mounting a coordinated effort to contain the most dangerous fronts, which were fanned by strong winds overnight. A shift in wind direction and a drop in intensity gave firefighters a brief chance to regroup, but the situation remains dire with a long battle still ahead.

The area near Afrati remains on high alert, with wind direction expected to heavily influence the fire’s path.

Particular concern remains over the fire’s western front—its point of origin—where flare-ups threaten to create new, potentially expansive fronts.

“The wildfire is extremely dangerous and has already caused significant destruction,” said Fanis Spanos, Governor of Central Greece. “Our firefighters are engaged on all fronts, supported by the Region with around 40 water trucks and heavy machinery available since the beginning.”

Six firefighters have been hospitalized in Chalkida—two with burns, four suffering respiratory issues. Power outages and water supply disruptions persist due to damaged infrastructure and pump station failures.

Chania, Crete: Under Partial Control

In Chania, Crete, the wildfire affecting the municipality of Kantanos-Selinos remains active but is reportedly under partial control. According to state broadcaster ERT, the fire has destroyed four homes, a church. Affected areas include forestland, farmlands, and beekeeping operations across a 20-kilometer front.

Firefighters, volunteers, and local residents continue their efforts to suppress flare-ups, which are being fueled by strong southwesterly winds.

Messinia: Fire Subsides, but Reignition a Constant Threat

The blaze that erupted Saturday morning in the Aetos region of Messinia, on the Peloponnese, continues to burn, though conditions have improved.

However, the risk of flare-ups remains high, shifting direction with the winds. As of now, the village of Aetos is not directly threatened, but a large flare-up shortly after 4 a.m. raised concerns about potential spread toward the village.

Kythera: ‘Biblical’ Scale of Destruction

On the island of Kythera, the fire has spiraled out of control, covering a vast portion of the island. Residents describe the devastation as “biblical,” with authorities maintaining readiness for mass evacuations if conditions worsen.

On Saturday evening, an emergency evacuation operation rescued 139 people trapped on Limnionas beach. The mission, coordinated by the Hellenic Coast Guard’s Operations Center (KEPIX), involved safely transporting evacuees to the port of Kapsali.

“The fire has consumed one-fifth of the island,” reported a local olive grower and entrepreneur. “It started in the north near the hospital and has reached the southwest. Once again, our olive trees have burned, just like in 2007.”

Ptolemaida: Better Conditions

In Ptolemaida, the wildfire that broke out midday Saturday is showing signs of improvement, though scattered hotspots persist across the area. Aerial firefighting operations are expected to resume at first light, aiming to bring the remaining blazes under control.