Greece Seeks EU Assistance as Wildfires Rage Across the Country

Greece has officially requested assistance from the European Union to combat a series of wildfires that have erupted across the country. Among the most severe is a blaze just north of Athens that has destroyed multiple homes and prompted large-scale evacuations.

The wildfires coincide with an intense heatwave, now entering its second week, where temperatures have soared above 45°C.

Fires Fuelled by Heat and Wind

According to Fire Brigade spokesperson Vasileios Vathrakogiannis, strong winds are exacerbating the fires across several regions, including:

• North of Athens
• The Peloponnese Peninsula
• The Islands of Crete, Euboea (Evia), and Kythera

“The hard part is ahead of us,” Vathrakogiannis told reporters.

Several regions have been placed under Red Category 5, the highest level of wildfire alert, indicating an extreme risk due to hot and arid conditions.

EU Assistance and Firefighting Efforts

Greece has activated the RescEU mechanism to request six firefighting aircraft from fellow EU countries. Firefighting units from the Czech Republic have already been deployed.

Firefighting Progress (Past 24 Hours)

Major Fronts and Emergency Response

North of Athens

One of the most challenging situations is unfolding 30 kilometres north of Athens, near the village of Drosopigi, which was ordered to evacuate. The fire has:

• Engulfed several homes
• Reached Kryoneri, another northern village
• Resulted in 27 evacuations

Five individuals have been hospitalised:

• 1 firefighter with burns
• 3 people with respiratory issues
• 1 elderly woman, suspected stroke

The smell of burning wood has reached central Athens, highlighting the fire’s proximity and intensity.

Kythera Island

A fire on Kythera stranded dozens of people on a beach. They were rescued by:

• 1 Coastguard vessel
• 3 private boats

This area had only recently been reforested after a devastating 2017 fire.

Record-Breaking Temperatures

The National Observatory in Athens reported scorching temperatures during this ongoing heatwave:

The heatwave, which began last Monday, is expected to persist until the coming Monday.

Devastation on Euboea and Peloponnese

On Euboea (Evia):

• Two fire engines were destroyed
• Five firefighters were hospitalised with light injuries

“The situation is out of control. The destruction is immeasurable,”
— Giorgos Psathas, Mayor of Chalcis

In Messinia (Peloponnese), evacuations are also ongoing. The fire brigade has placed all regional services on general alert.

Ongoing Risk and Recent Disasters

High Risk Areas on Sunday:

• Attica (region around Athens)
• Central Greece
• Western Greece
• Crete

Hundreds of firefighters and forest commandos continue to battle the blazes, with aircraft scheduled to resume operations at first light on Sunday.

Recent Wildfire Impact Summary

Greece, already battered by climate extremes, now faces yet another grave environmental crisis. The government’s plea for EU assistance marks a critical moment as the nation contends with fire, wind, and heat on multiple fronts.