The wildfire that erupted on Tuesday in a remote, densely vegetated forest in Feneos in Greece’s Peloponnese destroyed a large part of the untouched landscape before being brought under control, the national fire service announced on Wednesday.
Despite the challenging terrain, strong firefighting forces worked through the night. A contingent of 340 firefighters, supported by 15 firefighting teams on foot, municipal water trucks, digging machinery, 11 aircraft, and 10 helicopters, were deployed to the area. While the fire is now reported to be under control, forces remain on high alert to address any rekindling, a common occurrence in the aftermath of large wildfires.
The Feneos area in Corinthia, in the Peloponnese, is known for its picturesque and ecologically valuable forests, particularly pine and fir, which contribute significantly to the local environment and biodiversity.
The destruction of such dense vegetation not only impacts the natural landscape but also affects the livelihoods of local communities and the region’s overall ecological balance. Reports of damage to homes in the village of Kastania underscore the immediate human impact of these fires.
Adding a concerning dimension to the Feneos incident, two men, aged 34 and 33, were arrested for negligent arson. They were allegedly carrying out hot work involving a cutting wheel and welding in violation of regulations, which led to the fire’s ignition. An administrative fine of 11,812 euros (around $13,900) was imposed, and the individuals are being held for prosecution.
Feneos wildfire follows devastation on Chios
Just weeks prior, the island of Chios experienced a massive wildfire that ripped through its landscape for three days in late June 2025, devastating over 10,000 acres of land. The inferno forced the evacuation of 16 settlements as a precautionary measure, damaging farmlands and threatening homes.
Nearly 140 firefighters and emergency crews initially battled the blaze, with reinforcements, including hundreds of firefighters, fire engines, helicopters, and water-dropping planes, being dispatched from across Greece. A state of emergency was declared on the island.
The Chios fire, which reportedly began in three separate locations before merging into a single large blaze, prompted an arson investigation, with authorities “very seriously examining the possibility of an organized criminal act.”
A woman was later arrested on suspicion of unintentionally starting one of the fires by discarding a cigarette, further emphasizing the human element in wildfire outbreaks. The Chios incident served as a stark reminder of how swiftly and destructively wildfires can spread, particularly when there are strong winds, and the immense resources required to contain them. The island’s unique mastic trees, a crucial economic and cultural asset, were also affected to an extent.
These recent events in Feneos and Chios are not isolated incidents but symptomatic of a larger, recurring problem that Greece faces every summer. The combination of scorching temperatures, prolonged droughts, and strong, dry winds creates an extremely volatile environment whereby even a small spark can ignite a catastrophic blaze.
Related: Severe Heatwave Grips Greece, Authorities on High Alert
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